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Gypsy Rose Blanchard Shared Ken Urker Relationship Update Before Death
Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ken Urker were navigating the ebbs and flows of life together.
A little over a year before the Life After Lockup star’s boyfriend died Oct. 1, Blanchard—mom to Aurora Raina Urker, 21 months, with Urker—shared how the couple was ensuring they were a “forever” pair after rekindling their relationship in 2024.
“I really just hope we continue to have open communication,” Blanchard told People in a March 2025 interview. “I hope that we can get even more knowledge and let down our walls, because I’ve built walls over many years and I think everybody has a set of walls they put up.”
As Blanchard—who divorced ex-husband Ryan Anderson in 2024 after two years of marriage—put it, “I think it would be wonderful for us to bring those down and be the most vulnerable we’ve ever been with each other.”
Indeed, the 35-year-old emphasized it would be her “goal” to continue to strengthen the pair’s bond, noting she hoped they’d continue their relationship for the long haul. As she put it, “I've always felt that way about him.”
And to ensure that was the case before Urker’s tragic death, Blanchard shared the couple were in couple’s therapy.
“I like it because it gives an unbiased opinion,” she said at the time. “Because you don't want to go to your family all the time to talk about the bad stuff. You never want to have anybody going, ‘Oh, I think…’ You don't want their opinions to be changed or affected or a bias or anything.”
At the time, Blanchard admitted it was “nice” to have the space to mediate conflict with Urker.
“They can see my side, they can see his side,” she detailed, “and give us an honest opinion about where we should go and how we could improve.”
The Lafourche Sherriff’s Office confirmed to E! News that Urker had died Oct. 1.
Instagram / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
“We were notified about this at 6:15 p.m. CDT and responded," a spokesperson told E!. "He was found dead upon arrival. At this time, we are continuing the death investigation.”
After news of his death was confirmed, Blanchard told People she believed her husband died from an overdose.
“I don’t know if it was intentional or not,” Blanchard said. “I’m in disbelief.”
For a look back on Blanchard and Urker’s life together, keep reading…
TikTok / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
"The One"
TikTok / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Origin Story
The couple, who got engaged in 2018, even managed to create a festive atmosphere while Blanchard was incarcerated.
TikTok / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
What She Said
They split up in 2019 but, as Blanchard later noted, fate would come back to find them...
TikTok / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
On the Outside
While Blanchard went on to tie the knot with teacher Ryan Anderson in 2022, she filed for divorce after less than two years of marriage. She and Urker Ken reunited in the spring of 2024.
"We are together and in a wonderful place in our relationship," she told TMZ that April. "We know it is going to be a long road ahead but are excited for the future."
TikTok / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Sunnier Days Ahead
Cloudy skies couldn't put a damper on the rekindled pair's mood.
TikTok / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Cozying Up
Blanchard cuddled up next to Urker in this selfie snapped after their reunion.
TikTok / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Sweet Laughter
Whatever he said had Blanchard beaming in a video about their "love story."
Gypsy Rose Blanchard/Instagram
Scenes From a Romance
Blanchard shared a collage of some of her and Urker's most adorable moments a few weeks before revealing her pregnancy with their first child together.
At the time, she noted that their baby was due in January 2025.
Instagram / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
It's a Girl
The two found out they were expecting a baby girl during a sex reveal party in August 2024.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard/Instagram
Date Night
Before they become a family of three, Blanchard and Urker dined at a table for two during a September 2024 date night.
Instagram / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Romantic Getaway
The parents-to-be took a trip to California, including Marina Del Rey, that October.
Instagram / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Making Memories
And while Blanchard noted on Instagram the view of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge was "incredible," she added, "the company made it unforgettable."
Instagram / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Selfie Time
The duo sported their shades in this sunny snap.
Instagram/Gypsy Rose Blanchard
And Then There Were Three
On December 28, 2024, exactly one year after Blanchard was released from prison, she and Urker welcomed their daughter Auora.
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard/Instagram
First Birthday
Blanchard and Urker rang in their little girl's first birthday in 2025 with a Ms. Rachel-themed party.
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