Gypsy Rose Blanchard makes decision on attending Ken Urker’s funeral amid family drama
Gypsy Rose Blanchard will be attending Ken Urker’s funeral, despite public tension with his sister, a source confirmed to Page Six.
When asked if Blanchard is expected to be present at the family’s memorial service for Urker in Texas, an insider close to the bartender exclusively told Page Six, “Yes, she plans to go.”
We’re told that Blanchard, 35, has felt supported by Urker’s family as they mourn his loss.
“Gypsy and his family are fine and have been grieving together,” the source shared. “She has been welcomed to his Texas funeral.”
Blanchard recently attended a small viewing at a Louisiana funeral home to honor Urker this past weekend, according to TMZ.
The insider did note that there is still tension between Blanchard and Ken’s sister, Autumn Urker, who has publicly blasted the reality TV star on several occasions.
Last week, Autumn claimed to the Daily Mail that the Urker family is “disgusted” with Blanchard’s behavior after Ken’s death. Autumn also alleged that Blanchard was lying about Ken being found after he failed to respond to her happy birthday text.
Blanchard immediately shut down Autumn’s claims, telling Us Weekly in a statement, “At this time, I do not want the focus surrounding Ken’s passing to become centered on negativity or disagreements between Autumn and me.”
“It is no secret that Autumn did not approve of Ken’s relationship with me, and there has been significant tension between us, including public comments she made about me in the months leading up to his passing,” Blanchard continued.
The former inmate also denied Autumn’s claims that she has not been in touch with Ken’s loved ones.
“I remain in communication with Ken’s family, and aside from my relationship with Autumn, those communications have been positive and respectful during an incredibly painful time,” she said.
Page Six exclusively reported that Blanchard and Ken were broken up at the time of his death. According to an insider, they began living separately two months ago and officially split a month before his passing.
“They both just amicably, a month ago, said let’s just leave it here, have our space, and see where we’re at,” our source said.
However, we heard Blanchard and Ken were peacefully co-parenting their 1-year-old daughter, Aurora, and were in constant communication about matters regarding their child.
We were told they broke up because Ken was struggling with mental health problems.
Ken was found dead in his Louisiana home on Oct. 1, his 34th birthday. The Lafourche Parish Public Information Officer said investigators didn’t suspect any foul play.
According to a police report obtained by Page Six, Ken was found with drug paraphernalia and a gun at the time of his death.
“Deputies walked in the direction of the room and located paraphernalia (syringes and spoon) in the bathroom next to a brown powdery substance,” the police report stated. “Deputies located a syringe and a handgun on the nightstand next to the bed.”
Shortly after the news of his death surfaced, Blanchard shared on social media that he died of a suspected overdose — though an official cause of death has not been released.
Blanchard revealed that Ken had been struggling to deal with “relentless” cyberbullies, saying that he “endured an unimaginable level of public scrutiny.”
She asked her fans to sign an online harassment petition in honor of his memory and thanked her followers for their support. She also slammed the gossip surrounding Ken and asked for kindness from the public.
Ken and Blanchard met in 2017 when she was serving time in prison for the murder of her mom, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. They got engaged a year later.
They briefly broke up and Blanchard tied the knot with Ryan Scott Anderson in 2022. Blanchard and Anderson ultimately ended their marriage after two years.
Ken and Blanchard eventually got back together, and they welcomed their daughter in late 2024.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Conversation
Your voice matters. Discussions are moderated for civility. Read our guidelines