
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, whose life story drew national attention following the 2015 murder of her mother, has entered a new chapter by welcoming her first child. Blanchard and her partner, Ken Urker, announced the birth of their daughter, Aurora Raina Urker, born on December 28, 2024—coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Blanchard’s release from prison.
Urker shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo of Blanchard cradling their newborn in a hospital bed, captioned: “Welcoming 2025 with the greatest gift of all,” according to ABC News.
The couple chose the name Aurora due to their shared fascination with the Northern Lights, a name they had selected during Blanchard’s incarceration. They plan to visit Sweden to witness the Aurora Borealis in person, symbolizing a fresh start for their family. “Both of us have a fascination with the Northern Lights, and the proper term is the Aurora Borealis. I think it was maybe in 2018, we wrote each other’s future kid’s name on pieces of paper and Aurora is what we both picked without even knowing each other was picking it,” Blanchard told People.
Blanchard’s journey to motherhood follows a tumultuous past. She was convicted in 2015 for her involvement in the murder of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who had subjected her to years of abuse under Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Dee Dee falsely claimed her daughter suffered from multiple severe illnesses, confining her to a wheelchair and unnecessary medical treatments. In a bid for freedom, Blanchard conspired with then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn to kill her mother. Godejohn received a life sentence, while Blanchard was sentenced to ten years, serving eight before her release on December 28, 2023, according to Entertainment Weekly.
During her incarceration, Blanchard’s story was widely publicized, leading to documentaries and the Hulu series “The Act.” Upon her release, she initially married Ryan Anderson in July 2022 but announced their separation in March 2024, finalizing the divorce by December. Subsequently, Blanchard rekindled her relationship with Urker, whom she had met as a pen pal during her prison term.
The birth of Aurora marks a significant milestone in Blanchard’s life, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. Blanchard has expressed confidence in her parenting abilities, vowing not to repeat the mistakes of her mother. She and Urker are looking forward to family time and celebrating Blanchard’s upcoming release from parole.
As Blanchard transitions into motherhood, public interest in her life remains high. She has previously participated in interviews and a docuseries, “Gypsy-Rose: Life After Lock Up,” which premiered on Lifetime in June 2024, detailing her experiences post-incarceration.
While Blanchard’s past continues to intrigue many, she appears focused on building a future centered around her new family. The couple’s plans to witness the Northern Lights together reflect their desire to move forward and create positive memories beyond the shadows of Blanchard’s previous life.
“I know that I’m not perfect. I know that I have made mistakes in the past. And I will probably make minor mistakes going forward. But at the same time, I do know right from wrong. And learning from past mistakes is a growth that comes with time,” Blanchard told ABC News.
As they embark on this new journey, Blanchard and Urker have requested privacy to focus on their family and the well-being of their newborn daughter.