In a twist that seems ripped straight from the pages of a horror novel, the estranged husband of Utah family vlogger Ruby Franke has made startling allegations about her former business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. According to an interview released last week by prosecutors in Washington County, Utah, Kevin Franke claimed that he became Hildebrandt’s “resident exorcist” during the time she stayed in their home, as he witnessed her purportedly “go into possession mode” and “talk in different voices.”
The shocking revelations surfaced as part of the ongoing legal proceedings against Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt, who were arrested in August 2022 and subsequently convicted of child abuse earlier this year. The case has captivated the nation, not only for the horrific nature of the crimes but also for the bizarre circumstances surrounding the two women’s descent into what Kevin Franke describes as a “dark delusion.”
The Allegations of Possession
In the interview, Kevin Franke, who has not been charged with any crimes, recounted the chilling experiences he claims to have witnessed during Hildebrandt’s stay in their home. According to his account, Hildebrandt would allegedly “go into possession mode” and “talk in different voices,” with the voices declaring, “She’s ours. We’re not letting go. She is Satan’s bride.”
“It was really creepy,” Franke said, describing the unsettling episodes.
These allegations add a disturbing layer to an already disturbing case, painting a picture of a household consumed by what Franke portrays as a sinister and potentially supernatural force. While the veracity of his claims remains to be determined, the vivid descriptions are sure to fuel speculation and intrigue surrounding the circumstances that led to the horrific abuse of Ruby Franke’s children.
The Backstory: From Family Vloggers to Child Abuse Convictions
Ruby Franke and her family rose to prominence on YouTube, amassing a following of 2.3 million subscribers to their now-defunct channel, “8 Passengers.” However, Franke’s strict parenting style on the channel had drawn concern from viewers and neighbors long before her eventual arrest.
In August 2022, Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested after police found one of Franke’s sons emaciated, with open wounds, and bound with duct tape. The young boy had escaped Hildebrandt’s home to seek help from a neighbor. Another of Franke’s daughters was found in a similarly malnourished condition at Hildebrandt’s residence.
The shocking revelations of abuse sent shockwaves through the online community and led to Franke and Hildebrandt’s conviction in February 2024. Both women were sentenced to four one- to 15-year terms in prison, served consecutively, with a maximum aggregate sentence of 30 years under Utah law.
Descent into “Darkness”: Kevin Franke’s Account
In the interview released by prosecutors, Kevin Franke provided a detailed account of how his wife, Ruby, and her business partner, Hildebrandt, became increasingly entangled in what he describes as a “dark delusion.”
According to Franke, the couple initially became involved with Hildebrandt’s life-coaching service, ConneXions, in 2020, after being persuaded by Ruby Franke and a close friend to join a men’s group led by Hildebrandt. For a time, Franke said, the meetings seemed to have a positive impact on their marriage.
However, things took a concerning turn in March 2021 when Hildebrandt allegedly claimed to be “tormented and haunted by shadow figures every night.” By mid-April of that year, Hildebrandt had reached out to Ruby Franke for help, prompting the couple to invite Hildebrandt into their home in an effort to “intervene and help” her.
From that point on, Franke’s account paints a picture of escalating bizarre behavior and alleged supernatural occurrences. He claims to have witnessed “crashes in the basement” and “plates in the kitchen just flying off by themselves,” leading him to reluctantly assume the role of “resident exorcist” in an attempt to address what he believed to be a spiritual force affecting Hildebrandt.
The Spiral into Isolation and “Psychological Hell”
As the alleged paranormal activity intensified, Franke claimed that both Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt began exhibiting increasingly erratic behavior, with Ruby Franke allegedly going into trances and believing she was communicating with God and Jesus.
Franke alleges that the two women would lock themselves in a room for hours, after which Ruby Franke would relay visions and “the work God had called upon them to do.” Franke described growing increasingly suspicious of Hildebrandt’s influence over his wife, ultimately leading to Ruby Franke requesting a separation in July 2022.
After moving out, Franke said, “every week turned into psychological hell,” as he claims he could only regain access to his home with Hildebrandt’s approval. “She became like the arbiter of truth, the arbiter of forgiveness, God’s own mouthpiece,” he alleged.
The Aftermath: Divorce and Ruby Franke’s “Distorted Sense of Morality”
In October 2022, just before Kevin Franke filed for divorce, his attorney, Randy Kester, stated that the separation was “at Ruby’s directive” and that Franke “wanted to work through concerns as a family.” Kester added that the separation was “under terms prescribed by Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt.”
During the trial, lawyers for Ruby Franke argued that Hildebrandt had “systematically isolated” her from her family over an extended period, causing her to adopt a “distorted sense of morality” under Hildebrandt’s influence.
“For the past four years, I’ve chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion,” Ruby Franke said at her sentencing hearing in Ruby Franke’s court case. “My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate myself from anyone who challenged me.”
Hildebrandt, for her part, expressed a desire for the children to “heal physically and emotionally” and stated that she did not want them to “emotionally relive the experience” by going to trial.
A Cautionary Tale of Influence and Delusion
While the full truth behind the allegations of possession and supernatural occurrences may never be known, the case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt serves as a chilling cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked influence and the power of delusion.
The claims made by Kevin Franke paint a picture of a household consumed by an insidious force, fueled by Hildebrandt’s alleged manipulation and Ruby Franke’s increasing isolation from reality. Whether rooted in genuine supernatural phenomena or the product of psychological distortion, the consequences were horrific, resulting in the abuse and neglect of innocent children.
As the legal proceedings continue and more details emerge, this case stands as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a firm grip on reality and resisting the influence of those who would lead us down a path of darkness and delusion, no matter how persuasive their rhetoric or compelling their promises.
In the end, the tragedy of Ruby Franke and her family serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for vigilance, critical thinking, and the courage to challenge narratives that contradict our fundamental values and principles, no matter the source.