Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who served over seven years in prison for her mother’s homicide, has spoken up following the demise of her ex-fiancé and father of her child on Thursday. Ken Urker, aged 34, was discovered unresponsive at his residence in Raceland, Louisiana, on his birthday, October 1. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating his passing and has not identified any signs of foul play. Deputies were summoned to conduct a wellness check on Urker after he failed to report to work shortly after expressing suicidal thoughts. Upon entering the home, officials found Urker deceased, along with drug-related items, a brown powdery substance, and a holstered handgun. The cause of death remains undetermined.
Blanchard expressed uncertainty regarding the intentionality of the death, mentioning Urker’s recent mental struggles. She revealed that Urker faced significant scrutiny and online bullying during their relationship, believing that this pressure had a profound impact on him. Blanchard and Urker’s relationship began in 2017 when he reached out to her while she was in prison after watching the HBO documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest,” which detailed the tragic events involving Blanchard’s mother, Dee Dee.
Blanchard and her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, devised a plan to kill Dee Dee due to her alleged Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Godejohn is currently serving a life sentence for the murder, while Blanchard pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Despite facing legal challenges, Urker proposed to Blanchard in October 2018. The couple briefly called off their engagement but reunited in 2019. After a separation period during which Blanchard married Ryan Anderson and later split from him in December 2023, she and Urker reconciled.
In June 2024, the docuseries “Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up” premiered on Lifetime, showcasing Blanchard’s journey back into society, her divorce from Ryan Anderson, and her reunion with Urker. Their relationship led to the birth of their daughter, Aurora Rain Urker, in December 2024. Following Urker’s passing, Blanchard described him as a devoted father and her true love, emphasizing their unbreakable bond.
Blanchard reflected on her troubled past during an appearance on the “We Need to Talk” podcast in June, discussing her tumultuous upbringing, the night of her mother’s death, and her efforts to overcome her dark history. CBC News has contacted one of Blanchard’s former representatives for additional insights.