Ken Urker, Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s boyfriend and father of her child, dies aged 34
Ken Urker with Gyspy Rose Blanchard and their daughter (Instagram: gypsyrose.ig)
Ken Urker, the boyfriend of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, has died aged 34, with Louisiana authorities saying they are continuing to investigate the death.
The Lafourche Sheriff’s Office confirmed Urker’s death on 1 October. A spokesperson said: “We were notified about this at 6:15pm CDT and responded. He was found dead upon arrival. At this time, we are continuing the death investigation.”
A cause of death has not been revealed.
Urker was publicly known primarily through his relationship with Blanchard, 35, whose case has remained a major fixation in US true-crime media and online debate. The pair share a daughter, Aurora Raina Urker, described as 21 months old.
What have police said about Ken Urker’s death?
The Lafourche Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the time authorities were notified and that Urker was found dead when they arrived at the scene.
The spokesperson added that the death investigation is continuing.
How did Ken Urker and Gypsy Rose Blanchard meet?
Blanchard has previously said she and Urker first connected while she was in prison, after he wrote to her in 2017 having watched HBO documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest. She said they then began writing to each other weekly.
She has also said they got engaged while she was incarcerated, before later splitting in 2019 to focus on “personal growth”.
Blanchard’s story has been retold and dissected for years, including in Hulu dramatisation The Act, where she was portrayed by Joey King. After her release from prison in December 2023, she became a constant fixture in tabloid and social media coverage. In January 2024, she spoke about trying to set the record straight after leaving prison and returning to intense public attention.
In March 2024, Blanchard wrote on Facebook: “Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents home down the bayou. I have the support of my family and friends to help guide me through this… I am learning to listen to my heart.” She later rekindled her relationship with Urker after separating from Ryan Anderson.
