Gypsy-Rose Blanchard Invited to Funeral of Ex-Fiancé Ken Urker Amid Family Disputes
Despite claims of humiliation, Blanchard is welcome at the service for Urker, who died on his 34th birthday.
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard has received an invitation from the family of her ex-fiancé, Ken Urker, to attend his upcoming funeral. Urker was found unresponsive in his Louisiana home on Thursday, October 1, which was also his 34th birthday.
The invitation comes despite claims made by Urker's sister, Autumn, that her brother had been "terrified" and felt "humiliated" by Blanchard shortly before his death. Family sources, however, told TMZ that Blanchard has a good relationship with most of Urker's family, including his mother, Raina, and that his parents do not believe she was involved in his passing.
Blanchard, 35, is reportedly interested in attending the funeral, which is scheduled to take place in Texas. She also wishes to hold an additional service in Louisiana for her own loved ones.
Days before the funeral invitation, Blanchard visited Urker's casket with their 21-month-old daughter, Aurora, at a Louisiana funeral home. She was accompanied by Urker's mother, Raina, and two of his sisters. During the viewing, their daughter Aurora reportedly recognized her father and said, "Daddy." Blanchard was also given private time to say goodbye.
Urker's sister Autumn did not attend the viewing, despite reportedly being in Louisiana at the time. Autumn had previously claimed to the Daily Mail that Urker told her in their final phone call that he was "terrified" for his daughter's safety with Blanchard and that Blanchard had "humiliated him."
The day after the casket viewing, Blanchard and Urker's relatives gathered for lunch at IHOP, sharing memories of Urker. One of his siblings has taken responsibility for caring for his dog, Parker.
Recent text conversations between Blanchard and Urker, revealed by Page Six, focused on co-parenting their daughter Aurora, who was born on December 28, 2024. A source close to the former couple described their texts as "normal" and "basically all about Aurora," indicating a co-parenting level of communication. The source added that Blanchard avoided flirting in her texts, believing Urker was struggling with his mental health.
Urker's body was discovered at his Louisiana home with syringes, a handgun, and a "brown powdery substance" nearby, according to police. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed they responded to a call and found Urker, 34, deceased, and that the death investigation is ongoing.
Blanchard took to Instagram to thank those who offered condolences, stating she was grateful for the support. She had begun corresponding with Urker in 2017 after watching a documentary about her life. They became engaged in 2018, but later split. Blanchard then married Ryan Anderson in prison, from whom she later divorced after her early release in December 2023. She reunited with Urker in 2024.
In the aftermath of Urker's death, Blanchard suggested he may have succumbed to an overdose, describing him as not being in a "good state of mind lately." She also claimed Urker was subjected to "relentless cyberbullying" prior to his death, which she stated had a "profound impact" on him. Blanchard vowed to ensure their daughter Aurora would know how deeply her father loved her.
Urker's sister Autumn also accused Blanchard of lying about her relationship status with Urker before his death. Urker was discovered at his home by Blanchard's brother, Dylan, and his wife, who had planned to have dinner with him.
Blanchard, who was released from prison in December 2023 after serving seven years for her role in her mother Dee Dee Blanchard's murder, has a complex personal history. She was a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, with her mother fabricating illnesses and subjecting her to abuse. Her mother was murdered in 2015 by Blanchard's then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn.