Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Ex-Fiancé Slept With a Gun Due to Online Harassment, Sister Claims
Autumn Urker alleges her brother, Ken Urker, faced death threats and doxxing, forcing him to take precautions before his death.
Ken Urker, the late ex-fiancé of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, felt compelled to sleep with a gun nightly in the days leading up to his death due to intense online harassment, according to Urker's sister, Autumn.
Autumn told the Daily Mail that Ken, who died on his 34th birthday on October 1, allegedly carried a weapon for protection amidst relentless online bullying and death threats. Text messages reviewed by the outlet, purportedly from Ken, indicated he had been "doxxed" and was receiving "death threats."
Autumn clarified that Ken's precautions were not related to fear of Blanchard, with whom he shared a 1-year-old daughter, Aurora. However, Autumn attributed the cyberbullying Ken endured to Blanchard.
Following Urker's death, which Blanchard believes was due to an overdose, she provided evidence of the alleged online harassment her ex-fiancé faced. She shared a Reddit forum where Ken's appearance and sexuality were reportedly mocked, and the status of their relationship was questioned.
Blanchard has also initiated an online petition, named "Kenan's Law," aiming to influence how social media platforms address persistent harassment reports.
Autumn expressed regret over not attending Ken's private memorial viewing in Louisiana, stating that her mother felt pressured to be civil to Blanchard to ensure continued access to their granddaughter Aurora. "When I spoke with my mother, she was in tears telling me that we have to be nice to Gypsy or she won’t let her see Aurora," Autumn told the Daily Mail.
Autumn asserted that she does not believe her brother died by suicide, citing his plans to connect with loved ones on his birthday and his devotion to his daughter. "I don’t think he would ever do this to Aurora or my mother, and the family doesn’t think he did this on purpose, either," she said.
Autumn previously accused Blanchard of lying about the circumstances of Ken's death after he did not respond to a birthday text. Blanchard, in a statement to Us Weekly, acknowledged the tension between her and Autumn, noting Autumn's disapproval of her relationship with Ken.
Page Six previously reported that Blanchard and Urker had separated a month before his death, reportedly due to his mental health struggles, though they remained communicative about co-parenting Aurora. Blanchard is expected to attend Urker's funeral in Texas, despite the existing tension with his sister.