Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who served over seven years in prison for her mother’s homicide, has spoken up following the untimely death of her ex-fiancé and father of her child on Thursday. Ken Urker, aged 34, was discovered unresponsive in his Raceland, Louisiana residence on October 1, which coincided with his birthday. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department is currently probing his demise and has not uncovered any signs of foul play at this stage. Deputies were alerted to check on Urker’s well-being after he failed to report to work shortly after making suicidal threats. Upon entering the residence, authorities found Urker deceased alongside drug-related items and a holstered firearm. The exact cause of death remains undetermined.
Blanchard expressed uncertainty regarding the intentionality of Urker’s passing, stating that he had been struggling mentally recently. She disclosed that Urker had endured intense scrutiny and cyberbullying during their relationship, believing that the pressure had a profound impact on him. Their relationship began in 2017 when Urker reached out to Blanchard while she was in prison after watching the HBO documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest.” The film delves into the story of Blanchard’s mother, Dee Dee, who was suspected of having a disorder that led her to force her daughter into unnecessary medical treatments.
Blanchard and her then-boyfriend devised a plan to end Dee Dee’s life, resulting in her boyfriend serving a life sentence for murder. Blanchard pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was proposed to by Urker in October 2018 while still incarcerated. Despite briefly calling off their engagement, they reconciled in 2019. After a period of separation during which Blanchard married and subsequently parted ways with another individual, she reunited with Urker and had a child together in December 2024.
Blanchard’s life after her release from prison was documented in the docuseries “Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up,” which premiered in June 2024. Following Urker’s demise, Blanchard described him as a devoted father and her true love. She emphasized his exceptional parenting skills and everlasting connection with her. Blanchard has recently shared her experiences on various platforms, discussing her challenging past and her efforts to move forward. CBC News has contacted Blanchard’s former representative for additional insights.