Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who served over seven years in prison for her mother’s killing, has spoken out following the death of her ex-fiancé and the father of her child. Ken Urker, aged 34, was discovered unresponsive at his Raceland, Louisiana residence on his birthday, October 1. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department disclosed that they are investigating his demise, with no signs of foul play detected so far.
Blanchard, in an exclusive conversation with People and TMZ, mentioned the presence of an unknown substance at the scene, leading her to believe that Urker passed away due to an overdose, although authorities have not confirmed the cause of death. She expressed uncertainty about whether it was deliberate or accidental, citing Urker’s recent troubled state of mind. Blanchard shared that Urker faced severe scrutiny and cyber-bullying during their relationship, indicating that this may have significantly impacted him.
The couple’s relationship began in 2017 when Urker reached out to Blanchard while she was incarcerated after watching the HBO Documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest.” The documentary delves into the case of Blanchard’s mother, Dee Dee, who allegedly subjected her daughter to unnecessary medical interventions for years. Blanchard, along with her then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn, orchestrated Dee Dee’s murder, leading to Blanchard’s conviction for second-degree murder. Despite their engagement in October 2018, Blanchard and Urker briefly parted ways, only to reconcile in 2019.
After a tumultuous period that included Blanchard’s marriage to Ryan Anderson and subsequent separation, she reconnected with Urker. Their relationship was featured in the Lifetime series “Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up.” The couple welcomed a daughter, Aurora Rain Urker, in December 2024. Following Urker’s passing, Blanchard hailed him as a devoted parent and her eternal soulmate.
Blanchard, who featured on the “We Need to Talk” podcast earlier this year, reflected on her challenging upbringing, the night of her mother’s demise, and her journey towards overcoming her troubled past. CBC News has sought comments from one of Blanchard’s former representatives regarding the recent events.