In 2026, many people still have questions about the man once known as Ruby Franke’s Husband. Kevin Franke has worked hard to find Kevin Franke healing while caring for his six children. After a long Utah divorce settlement, he is moving on from a difficult child abuse case and focus on Kevin Franke investigators‘ findings to protect his family.
Have you ever wondered how a father survives a viral nightmare and a resident exorcist plot? Behind the 8 Passengers YouTube fame, a Hulu docuseries reveals the psychological abuse and isolation that changed the 8 Passengers family forever in an exclusive interview.
The Kevin Franke engineering consultant career is now his main focus after the Ruby Franke marriage ended. Following the divorce filing, he navigated Washington County prosecutors‘ reports to ensure he was not charged. Today, he is married over 20 years later to a new partner and finding peace.
Ruby Franke’s Husband Profile Summary
| Profile Details | Information |
| Full Name | Kevin Franke |
| Known For | Husband of Ruby Franke, appeared on the 8 Passengers YouTube channel |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Age | Approximate age not publicly available |
| Place of Birth | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation / Profession | Engineering Professor / Academic |
| Education | Graduate degree in Engineering (specific university not public) |
| Spouse | Ruby Franke |
| Children | Several children featured on 8 Passengers (exact number varies) |
| YouTube Involvement | Appeared occasionally on 8 Passengers channel, supported family vlogs |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $500k – $1M (from teaching and YouTube earnings) |
| Current Status | Separated from Ruby Franke (following the controversy) |
| Public Image | Mostly private; respected for career, occasionally in public discussions due to family scandal |
| Hobbies / Interests | Private; little information available publicly |
Who Is Kevin Franke?
In 2026, Kevin Franke was recognized as a civil engineer and the former co-host of the 8 Passengers YouTube channel. He is widely identified as Ruby Franke’s Husband from their marriage of twenty-five years, though the couple officially finalized their divorce in March 2025. Following the high-profile legal case involving his ex-wife, Kevin has transitioned toward a more private life focused on his six children and his professional career.
Kevin’s journey has been marked by a significant shift from a public digital influencer to a private citizen. After separating from Ruby in 2022, he remained largely out of the public eye until the 2023 arrests brought his family’s domestic situation to international attention. In 2026, he is known for the following:
- Family and Personal Life: He was awarded full custody of his four minor children as part of the divorce agreement. In late 2025, he remarried, starting a new chapter with his wife, Becca Bevan.
- Professional Identity: He has maintained his background as an engineering professional and has leveraged his experience to advocate for legislative changes regarding the regulation of life coaches and the protection of children in digital media.
- Media Presence: He has participated in documentaries and interviews, such as the Hulu docuseries Devil in the Family, to share his perspective on the manipulation and isolation he experienced prior to the family’s legal crisis.
Early Life and Education of Kevin Franke
Before the cameras began rolling, Kevin Franke pursued a life of academic and professional rigor. He attended prestigious institutions to build a foundation in engineering, a field that requires logic, structure, and precision—traits that many viewers noted in his early vlogging appearances.
His educational background provided the stability needed to support a family of eight. While the YouTube channel eventually became a primary source of fame, Kevin’s early life was focused on establishing himself in a specialized field. This academic grounding would later prove vital as he sought to regain professional footing after the family’s public fall from grace.
Kevin Franke’s Career and Profession
Kevin Franke is a highly qualified Kevin Franke engineering consultant. His professional career has largely been in the field of civil and environmental engineering, often associated with academic research and university-level instruction. Even during the height of the YouTube fame, Kevin maintained his professional credentials, which differentiated him from many full-time “influencers.”
His career provided a safety net when the 8 Passengers YouTube channel was eventually deleted. In the aftermath of the child abuse case, Kevin has had to navigate the professional challenges of having a highly public and controversial personal life. Despite the noise, he has continued to leverage his expertise as an engineer to provide for his family, demonstrating a resilience that many followers find commendable in his post-scandal life.
Marriage to Ruby Franke: Family Life
The Ruby Franke marriage lasted for over 20 years, a tenure that many viewers believed was unbreakable. Together, they raised six children in a household that seemingly prioritized faith and discipline. The early years of their marriage were characterized by typical family milestones, though the introduction of social media would eventually change the internal dynamics of their home.
In 2022, the marriage faced a severe crisis. Kevin was told by Ruby that his presence was “infesting” the family, leading to a Ruby Franke separation. During this period, Kevin lived apart from the family for over a year, a time of forced isolation that he later described as a “nightmare.” This separation was a precursor to the legal turmoil that would eventually lead to their divorce filing.
The 8 Passengers YouTube Channel Overview
Launched in 2015, the 8 Passengers YouTube channel became a staple of the “mommy vlogger” genre. With 2.5 million subscribers, the channel offered a window into the lives of the Franke family. The content focused on parenting advice, religious values, and the daily antics of the 8 Passengers family.
However, the channel was also the site of early controversies, such as the “bean bag incident” involving Chad Franke. Viewers often petitioned for investigations into the family’s harsh disciplinary tactics. The channel’s success provided the family with a $1.3 million Utah home, but it also created a platform where the children’s privacy was frequently traded for views—a realization that Kevin Franke investigators and the family themselves would later struggle with.
Kevin Franke’s Role in 8 Passengers
In the early days of the channel, Kevin was a co-creator and active participant. He often appeared in videos supporting Ruby’s disciplinary decisions, a role that led to significant public opinion regarding his complicity. He was the “voice of reason” for many, yet his presence on the channel validated the increasingly extreme parenting methods being broadcast.
As the channel evolved, Kevin’s role diminished, particularly after Jodi Hildebrandt entered the picture. He was eventually phased out of the content as the Ruby Franke separation took hold. In hindsight, Kevin has expressed regret over the “distortion” of reality that the channel promoted, acknowledging that the pursuit of digital fame masked the growing fractures within his home.
Controversy Surrounding Ruby Franke
The controversy reached a breaking point in August 2023 when Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested. The case revealed a horrifying reality of child abuse, including physical torture and starvation. The influence of ConneXions life coaching, led by Hildebrandt, was cited as a primary driver for the psychological abuse inflicted upon the children.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Hildebrandt had acted as a resident exorcist, claiming that the children were victims of Jodi Hildebrandt possession. This extreme religious distortion led to the children being treated as “evil.” While the public was shocked, the Kevin Franke exclusive interview later revealed that he had been kept in the dark about the physical extent of the abuse during his forced absence.
Kevin Franke’s Reaction to the Legal Case
When the child abuse case broke, Kevin Franke was initially a person of interest. However, Washington County prosecutors and Kevin Franke investigators quickly determined that he was not living in the home at the time of the most severe abuse. Consequently, Kevin Franke not being charged became a key legal distinction in the case.
Kevin’s reaction was a mix of shock, Kevin Franke anger, and profound grief. In his Kevin Franke interview for the Hulu docuseries, he described the moment he learned of the children’s condition as the darkest of his life. He has since worked closely with authorities to ensure the safety of his children and has been a vocal advocate for legislative changes to protect children in similar situations.
Kevin Franke’s Net Worth and Income Sources
By 2026, Kevin Franke’s financial situation had stabilized following a complex Utah divorce settlement. At the peak of 8 Passengers, the family was reportedly earning up to $100,000 per month. However, the deletion of the channel and the subsequent legal fees significantly impacted their wealth.
| Income Source | Description | Status in 2026 |
| Engineering Consulting | Professional services in civil engineering. | Active Primary Income |
| YouTube Revenue | Historical earnings from 8 Passengers. | Ceased in 2023 |
| Real Estate Assets | $1.3 million Springville home & Scofield land. | Awarded to Kevin in Divorce |
| Media Participation | Fees from docuseries like Devil in the Family. | Supplemental Income |
The separation agreement and final divorce decree awarded Kevin the family’s primary residence and other land assets. He also agreed to waive child support payments from Ruby, as she had already withdrawn significant funds prior to their initial split.
Life After the 8 Passengers Scandal
Rebuilding a life after such a public “fall from grace” has not been easy. Kevin has focused on Kevin Franke healing, both for himself and his children. He has transitioned back to a more private life, though he occasionally speaks out to warn others about the dangers of social media and the influence of “cult-like” coaching programs.
He has maintained a strong bond with his eldest children, Shari Franke and Chad Franke, who have been supportive of their father during this transition. Together, they have appeared in the Hulu documentary to share their story of survival and to clarify the “truth” behind the polished YouTube facade.
Current Relationship Status with Ruby Franke
The current relationship status between Kevin and Ruby is one of total legal and personal severance. Following the Ruby Franke sentenced phase, Kevin moved forward with a divorce filing that was finalized in March 2025. He has been awarded full custody of the minor children, and there is a strict “no-contact” order in place regarding Ruby and the kids.
Despite the prison letters and the history they share, Kevin has stated that his future “does not include her.” Interestingly, in late 2025, Kevin remarried, finding a new partner in Becca Bevan. This move signals a definitive end to the Ruby Franke marriage and a new chapter for the Franke patriarch.
Public Opinion About Kevin Franke
Public sentiment regarding Kevin remains divided. Some view him as a victim of Jodi Hildebrandt’s manipulation and a father who was systematically isolated from his family. Others remain critical, questioning how he could be married over 20 years and not see the growing signs of extremism and abuse.
The People Magazine Kevin Franke features and the Hulu docuseries have helped shift the narrative for some, providing context for his absence during the height of the abuse. However, the “YouTube dad” legacy continues to haunt his public profile, as the internet rarely forgets the content produced during the 8 Passengers era.
Lesser-Known Facts About Kevin Franke
Beyond the headlines, there are details about Kevin that offer a more nuanced view of his character:
- He initially voiced opposition to Jodi Hildebrandt’s presence in their home, but his concerns were “flipped” back onto him as signs of his own spiritual “distortion.”
- He has called for Utah lawmakers to reform child welfare laws to prevent similar cases of “parental alienation” used by predatory coaches.
- He is an avid outdoorsman and has often used physical activity and nature as a tool for Kevin Franke healing.
FAQ’s
Who is the man known as Kevin Franke?
He is a civil engineer and former YouTube personality who rose to fame as the father on the popular 8 Passengers family vlogging channel.
What is the current career of Kevin Franke?
He serves as a specialized engineering consultant and academic, previously holding a professorship at Brigham Young University focused on geotechnical and earthquake engineering research.
How many children does Ruby Franke’s Husband have?
He has six children named Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve, who were all featured prominently during the years their YouTube channel was active.
When was the divorce from Ruby Franke finalized?
The legal process concluded in March 2025 after a lengthy separation period following the high-profile arrests that took place in late August of 2023.
Who has custody of the children now?
Under the final legal agreement, he was granted full custody of the four minor children, while his ex-wife was ordered to have no contact.
Has Ruby Franke’s Husband remarried recently?
Yes, he married his partner Becca Bevan on November 14, 2025, in a private ceremony in Springville surrounded by his family and his eldest children.
What was his role in the 8 Passengers channel?
He co-managed the family blogging business, often appearing as the disciplinarian father figure before the family’s dynamics were shifted by external coaching influences.
Was he charged in the abuse case?
He was never charged by prosecutors because evidence showed he was living separately and was being isolated from the children when the severe abuse occurred.
What is the status of the family home?
As part of the 2025 divorce settlement, he was awarded the primary family residence in Springville and a separate land property located in Scofield.
How is Ruby Franke’s Husband moving forward?
He is currently focused on healing his family, advocating for child welfare reform, and rebuilding a private life away from the scrutiny of social media.
Conclusion
In 2026, the journey of Ruby Franke’s Husband serves as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in digital fame and the vulnerability of the family unit to extreme influence. While the transition from a celebrated vlogger to a central figure in a global scandal was tumultuous, Kevin Franke has focused his efforts on a path of reconciliation and structural change. By collaborating with Utah lawmakers to pass protective legislation for child influencers and addressing the systemic “loopholes” that allowed for isolation and abuse, he has attempted to turn a personal tragedy into a catalyst for broader societal protection. His remarriage and the stabilization of his household signal a definitive move away from the “8 Passengers” era toward a life grounded in privacy and the safety of his children.
Denzel is a passionate Christian writer with 4 years of experience in Bible and prayer blogging. He is currently sharing his inspiring spiritual writings on BibleNests.com, helping readers grow in faith and hope.
