The Unspoken Truth: Were Jodi Hildebrandt And Ruby Franke Lovers? New Revelations From The Franke Family

As of December 12, 2025, the question of whether convicted child abusers Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were romantically involved remains a central, unconfirmed speculation in one of the most shocking cases involving a former YouTube vlogger. The nature of the intensely co-dependent and ultimately criminal relationship between the former "8 Passengers" star and the "ConneXions" life coach has been officially characterized as a mentorship or business partnership, yet recent revelations from family members paint a much more complex and potentially intimate picture. This deep dive examines the latest evidence, court statements, and shocking claims that attempt to define the true connection between the two women now serving parallel prison sentences in Utah. The sensational case, which saw both women plead guilty to multiple counts of aggravated child abuse, has captivated public attention far beyond the initial shock of the crimes, largely due to the bizarre and controlling dynamic that led to the severe mistreatment of Ruby Franke's two youngest children. While neither Franke nor Hildebrandt has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship, the persistent rumors and new testimony from those closest to them suggest the bond went far beyond professional counseling.

The Core Entities and The ConneXions Controversy

The two central figures in this tragic legal saga, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, came from vastly different backgrounds but became inextricably linked through a shared, distorted ideology.

Ruby Franke: The YouTube Vlogger

• Role: Former matriarch of the popular "8 Passengers" YouTube channel.
• Content: Documented the life of her husband, Kevin Franke, and their six children, focusing on strict parenting, often drawing criticism for harsh methods.
• Legal Status: Pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
• Current Status: Serving four consecutive prison sentences of 1 to 15 years, totaling up to 30 years, in a Utah prison.

Jodi Hildebrandt: The Life Coach

• Role: Owner of the "ConneXions" life coaching service.
• Content: Promoted a controversial, often criticized brand of "mental health" counseling, focusing on "principles of truth" and "shunning" people with "addictions."
• Connection to Franke: Initially served as Ruby Franke's personal counselor, which evolved into a joint YouTube channel and a shared living situation.
• Legal Status: Pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
• Current Status: Serving four consecutive prison sentences of 1 to 15 years, totaling up to 30 years, in a Utah prison. She recently filed a petition for post-conviction relief.

The relationship between the two women was initially presented to the public and the courts as one of professional guidance. In her statement to the court, Ruby Franke clarified that Jodi Hildebrandt was not a business partner or an employer, but rather someone she employed in a capacity that was never fully disclosed in the snippet, though the context implies a therapeutic or advisory role. This official framing, however, has been consistently challenged by the Franke family.

Unpacking the 'Strange' Relationship: Mentorship or More?

The intense nature of the Franke-Hildebrandt bond fueled public curiosity about a potential romantic involvement long before their arrests. Their co-dependent dynamic was characterized by extreme isolation, shared ideological rigidity through the ConneXions philosophy, and a complete integration of Jodi into the Franke family's life. The level of co-dependence became evident when Jodi Hildebrandt moved into the Franke family home, a move that Kevin Franke, Ruby's soon-to-be ex-husband, later described as being necessary because Jodi was reportedly experiencing "demonic night terrors". This detail suggests a relationship that transcended the normal boundaries of a client-counselor or even a close friendship, moving into a realm of shared, intense psychological and emotional reliance. Furthermore, the abuse that led to their arrest occurred at Jodi Hildebrandt's home, where the children were held and subjected to horrific acts, including starvation and physical injury. This physical proximity and shared criminal action underscore a deep, shared psychological state, regardless of the sexual nature of their bond. The speculation that they were "lovers" is less about prurient interest and more about understanding the mechanism of control and isolation that allowed the abuse to escalate.

The Daughter's Testimony: Evidence of an 'Intimate' Connection

The most direct and recent claims regarding the possibility of a romantic relationship have come from Ruby Franke's oldest daughter, Shari Franke. Shari, who publicly distanced herself from her mother and the ConneXions ideology before the arrests, has been vocal about the "strange" relationship between her mother and Jodi Hildebrandt. In a memoir being released, *The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom*, Shari Franke reportedly details her discovery of the true nature of their connection. In interviews promoting the book, Shari claimed that she witnessed evidence of an "intimate" relationship between the two women. She stated that she saw her mother "sneaking around" and noted that the relationship appeared to be more than just a mentorship. These claims from a direct family member provide the strongest public suggestion yet that the relationship was, at least in the eyes of Ruby Franke's children, romantic or sexual in nature. This perspective is crucial, as the children were the primary victims of the isolation and abuse stemming from the women's shared life and ideology. The secrecy and "sneaking around" described by Shari Franke would align with a relationship that was being hidden from the public, Kevin Franke, and the rest of the Franke family, possibly due to the women's conservative religious background and the public-facing nature of the "8 Passengers" brand.

The Final Verdict: A Psychological Bond of Control

While the legal documents and public statements from Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt have avoided confirming any romantic or sexual relationship, the overwhelming evidence from the Franke family and the sheer intensity of their co-dependence strongly suggest a bond that went far beyond a typical professional or business partnership. The core of their connection, whether romantic or not, was a shared psychological delusion rooted in the ConneXions principles, which allowed them to justify extreme isolation and abuse. The question of "were Jodi and Ruby lovers" may never be answered by the two women themselves, especially as they serve their sentences. However, the testimony of Shari Franke and the details revealed by Kevin Franke suggest that their relationship was intimate, secretive, and ultimately the catalyst for the catastrophic events that ended the "8 Passengers" legacy and led to their conviction for aggravated child abuse. The legal system has judged them for their crimes, but the public, fueled by the new details from Shari Franke's memoir and ongoing media coverage, including the upcoming Lifetime movie *Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story*, continues to grapple with the disturbing psychological and relational dynamics that defined the final, destructive chapter of their lives. The final conclusion is that while officially unconfirmed, the family's testimony points to a relationship that was deeply personal, secretive, and possibly intimate, serving as a key element in the isolation of the Franke children.