Gypsy Rose Blanchard launches petition to address online harassment after partner's death

Gypsy Rose Blanchard announced a Change.org petition aimed at reforming how social-media platforms handle repeated harassment reports after her partner, Ken Urker, died at his home in Raceland, Louisiana, on Oct. 1. Law enforcement officials said Urker, 34, was found dead at the scene and noted the presence of syringes, a powdery substance and a handgun, suggesting a possible overdose.

Blanchard told PEOPLE that she believes Urker had been drinking heavily and was not in a good state of mind in the days before his death. She said she has engaged a New Orleans attorney to help develop “Kenan’s Law,” a proposal intended to improve response mechanisms for targeted online harassment.

"Public figures are still human beings, and fame should never erase someone's humanity," she wrote on Instagram, adding that the proposed law is not meant to limit free speech.

Blanchard said she hopes the legislation will protect individuals who face intense online scrutiny, noting that Urker had been the subject of extensive commentary on platforms such as TikTok and Reddit. She expressed a desire for her daughter, Aurora, to remember her father beyond the public discussion surrounding his death.

The petition calls on legislators to consider measures that ensure repeated harassment reports are reviewed more thoroughly, aiming to prevent future cases where victims feel unheard.