The Fall of the 8 Passengers: Kevin Franke’s Life After the Scandal
On August 30, 2023, Kevin Franke’s world was irrevocably shattered. As a husband and father of six, the news that his wife of 23 years, Ruby Franke, had been arrested alongside their family therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, came as an unimaginable blow. Accused of severely abusing their two youngest children—just 12 and 9 years old at the time—the charges were deeply disturbing. Authorities found the children emaciated, malnourished, and covered in wounds, prompting an investigation into the family’s chaotic home life.
For Kevin, the arrest of Ruby, the mother of his children, was compounded by an emotional isolation from his family. Over a year prior, the couple had separated, but reports suggested that Ruby had controlled much of Kevin’s access to the children through manipulation by Hildebrandt. This separation made the events that unfolded even more heartbreaking, leaving Kevin to grapple not just with the loss of his marriage but also with the harrowing truth about the mistreatment his children endured.
Months passed, and the details of the abuse were as haunting as they were revealing. Ruby Franke was eventually convicted in December 2023, pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. The former vlogger, once beloved by millions, now faced the consequences of her actions, with a prison sentence of 4 to 60 years. However, due to a Utah law regarding consecutive sentences, she would not serve more than 30 years in total, a sentence that left many questioning the justice of the outcome.
While Ruby’s fate was sealed, Kevin remained mostly silent about the scandal, choosing instead to comment through his lawyer, Kester. However, in the Hulu docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, Kevin and two of his older children, Shari and Chad, finally spoke out. The series, which premiered on February 27, 2025, offered viewers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the fractured family, shedding light on the pain, betrayal, and survival that defined their journey.
In a poignant interview ahead of the series release, Kevin opened up to PEOPLE about his current relationship with Ruby. “I’m not ashamed to say that after being married over 20 years to that woman, I truly did and still do love her,” he shared. “But that doesn’t excuse what she did, and it doesn’t excuse how she hurt our children and how she hurt me… I’m going to do what’s best for my children, for my family, and for myself, and that’s not going to include her.”
It’s a sentiment that speaks to the deep emotional conflict Kevin faces as he navigates the complexities of loving someone who caused untold harm. His dedication now lies squarely with his children, prioritizing their healing and ensuring that their futures are brighter than the dark past they’ve been forced to endure.
The Franke family first rose to prominence in 2015 with their popular YouTube channel, 8 Passengers. Kevin, a former assistant engineering professor at Brigham Young University, and Ruby, a stay-at-home mom, shared their daily lives with millions. The family of eight became known for their candid approach to parenting, homeschooling, and even the most intimate details of their personal lives. But their rise to fame came with its own set of controversies, as viewers criticized their strict, often harsh, parenting methods.
By 2020, 8 Passengers had amassed over 2.5 million subscribers and garnered over 1 billion views, but not without significant backlash. The couple’s unflinching approach to disciplining their children raised alarm bells among viewers. The accusations of emotional and physical abuse began to swirl, with some even suggesting that Ruby and Kevin were running an authoritarian regime under the guise of “traditional parenting.”
One particularly troubling incident, in which Ruby refused to bring lunch to their daughter Eve after the child forgot to pack it herself, stirred further criticism. Similarly, when their son Chad played a prank on his sibling, he was reportedly punished by having his bed taken away for months. These and other troubling moments prompted viewers to petition child protective services in 2020, leading to an investigation. Despite the disturbing signs, the case was closed due to a lack of evidence.
However, the impact of the petition and the 911 calls made by concerned individuals cannot be understated. Although the case was dismissed, it marked the beginning of the end for the Franke family’s public image. The once-beloved vlog was now viewed through a lens of skepticism, with many questioning whether the Frankes’ public persona was hiding a darker truth.
Today, as Kevin works to rebuild his life and care for his children, he remains steadfast in his commitment to protect them from further harm. His story is one of survival, love, and the painful process of redefining family in the wake of scandal. And while the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Kevin Franke is determined to create a safe and stable environment for his children—one that is free from the shadows of their past.
