Ken Urker, the former fiancé of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and father of her daughter, was found dead at a Louisiana home. The Ken Urker death investigation remains active as authorities await autopsy and toxicology findings.
Urker died Oct. 1 in Raceland on his 34th birthday. Officials have not announced an official cause or manner of death.
Authorities Investigate Ken Urker’s Death
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a Raceland residence after receiving a call around 6:15 p.m. Deputies found Urker, whose full name was Kenan Urker, dead when they arrived.
“At this time, we are continuing the death investigation,” the department said in a statement reported by The Independent.
The sheriff’s office said investigators had found no signs of foul play. However, the investigation has not concluded, and authorities have not issued a final determination.
A family member reportedly discovered Urker unresponsive after he stopped answering messages. Blanchard had sent him a birthday message earlier that day but did not receive a response.
Autopsy and Toxicology Testing Underway
Lafourche Parish Coroner Kayla Breaux said an autopsy was scheduled for Oct. 2 at the Jefferson Parish Forensic Center. The examination was moved there because Lafourche Parish does not have a forensic pathologist.
Standard toxicology testing will also be conducted, according to TMZ. Results from those tests may take several weeks.
Blanchard told media outlets that she believed Urker may have died from an overdose. She said an unidentified substance was reportedly discovered near his body.
However, authorities have not confirmed that account or identified any substance. Blanchard also said Urker did not have a known drug problem. She did not know whether the suspected overdose was accidental or intentional.
Only the coroner’s examination and toxicology findings can establish an official cause of death.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Releases Statement
Blanchard described Urker as a devoted parent while mourning the loss.
“Ken was an amazing father and a man who was deeply loved,” she said in a statement reported by Us Weekly.
Blanchard said she would ensure their daughter, Aurora Raina Urker, understands how deeply her father loved her. Aurora was born in December 2024.
She also described Urker as her soulmate and said she was struggling to process his death. Blanchard asked for privacy for both families and their daughter.
In a separate statement, she said Urker had experienced intense public scrutiny and online harassment. She expressed hope that his death would encourage people to consider the human impact of social media comments.
Urker and Blanchard’s Relationship
Urker first contacted Blanchard through letters in 2017 while she was serving a prison sentence in Missouri. The couple became engaged during a prison visit in 2018 before separating the following year.
Blanchard later married Louisiana teacher Ryan Anderson while incarcerated. She and Anderson separated in March 2024, several months after her release from prison.
Urker and Blanchard then reconnected. Their relationship and preparations for parenthood appeared in the Lifetime series “Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up.”
Blanchard gained national attention because of the abuse she experienced from her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. She later served more than seven years in prison for her role in planning her mother’s 2015 killing.
Confirmed updates about Urker’s death are expected from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office or the parish coroner. Until then, claims about the cause remain unverified.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 988. Help for substance use concerns is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).