The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Kenan ‘Ken’ Urker, the partner of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, was found dead in his Louisiana residence on Thursday. Family members requested a welfare check after not hearing from him.
Anita Blanchard, related to Gypsy Rose Blanchard, told officers they went to Urker’s home and saw him lying unresponsive through a window. A man accompanying them entered through the window and found Urker unbreathing and cold. Authorities discovered syringes, a spoon with a brown substance in the bathroom, and a handgun and syringe on the nightstand.
Urker was last seen at church with Anita Blanchard and her husband the previous evening. He had expressed feeling depressed. Later, he broadcasted a TikTok live video around 11:00 PM while driving.
He gained a significant following of over 36,000 on the platform. After Urker missed work the next day, Anita Blanchard and his employer checked on him, leading to their call to law enforcement. The sheriff’s office stated the investigation is ongoing, with no signs of foul play. Thursday marked Urker’s 34th birthday.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard was imprisoned in 2016 for involvement in her mother’s murder. She was released on parole in December 2023. Kenan Urker and Gypsy got engaged in 2018 during her incarceration, separated later, and reunited after her first marriage. They have a daughter, Aurora, born in December 2024.
Gypsy Rose commented to PEOPLE, believing Urker died due to a drug overdose, saying he was in a troubled state of mind. On Instagram, she expressed her love in a tribute post, stating, ‘You will always be my greatest love story. You will be remembered and loved forever.’
She also addressed the intense cyberbullying Urker faced. Gypsy highlighted the scrutiny and harassment he dealt with on social media, emphasizing its possibly profound impact on him. She expressed her intentions to ensure their daughter knows how much her father loved her, beyond the external judgments.