Gypsy-Rose Blanchard will ‘most likely’ attend Ken Urker’s funeral amid family tensions

Gypsy-Rose Blanchard says she will “most likely” attend the upcoming funeral of her former fiancé Ken Urker after his family invited her to the service following his death at the age of 34.

Urker, the father of Blanchard’s 21-month-old daughter Aurora, was found dead at his home in Raceland, Louisiana, on October 1, which was also his 34th birthday. The circumstances and official cause of his death remain under investigation.

Speaking to PEOPLE, Blanchard said she has been invited to the funeral by Urker’s family, although arrangements have not yet been finalised.

“As of right now, we don’t have any details. But they will let me know as soon as they form up solidified plans,” Blanchard said.

Blanchard is also planning her own celebration of life for Urker in Louisiana. She said the November memorial will include fireworks as a tribute to a tradition they shared.

“I have this memory of us for a Fourth of July celebration we had bought so many fireworks and we had the best time to shoot them off,” she said, explaining that Urker would “go overboard” when buying fireworks each year.

Blanchard and Aurora have already had the opportunity to say goodbye to Urker during a private family viewing. Blanchard described the experience as extremely difficult and said Aurora called him “Daddy” when she saw him.

“We got to see him one last time for a private viewing for his family. The day before yesterday and it was the hardest thing to do,” she said.

The plans come amid tension between Blanchard and Urker’s sister Autumn, who has publicly criticised Blanchard following her brother’s death.

Autumn has disputed aspects of Blanchard’s account of her relationship with Urker, including reports that the pair were still together shortly before his death. She alleged that they had separated more than a month earlier and rejected claims that they were engaged or planning to have another child.

Autumn also criticised Blanchard over reports that Urker was discovered after failing to respond to a birthday message from her. She described the suggestion as “a slap in the face” and accused Blanchard of lying about the circumstances.

Blanchard and Urker first met while she was incarcerated and became engaged in 2018. Their relationship went through several breakups before they reconciled in 2024. They later welcomed Aurora in December 2024.

Following Urker’s death, Blanchard said she believed he may have died from an overdose, although she stressed that she did not know whether it was intentional. Authorities have not announced a final cause or manner of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Blanchard has described Urker as a devoted father and said she intends to make sure their daughter knows who he was beyond the public scrutiny surrounding their relationship. She has also asked for privacy and compassion for their daughter and both families as they grieve.