Real Estate Agent Laura Gehrke Finds Love and Marries Inmate Joshua Stewart During 90-Minute Prison Ceremony in Washington State

Real estate agent Laura Gehrke found love in an unexpected place—prison.

Just six weeks after connecting with Joshua Stewart through a unique social networking site, Laura was ready to say “I do.”

Back in December, Laura, who had previously appeared on Netflix’s “Too Hot To Handle Germany,” found herself alone in Dubai. With her visa issues preventing her from traveling home for Christmas, Laura spent her holiday scrolling through TikTok, where she came across a video about writing to inmates.

Feeling a bit lonely, Laura decided to send a festive message to someone behind bars. Among the profiles on WriteAPrisoner.com, one stood out to her—21-year-old Joshua Stewart, who shared her interest in poetry.

What started as a simple Christmas greeting quickly grew into a deep connection. Laura and Joshua soon began talking on the phone for hours each day.

In just six weeks, their bond was strong enough for Joshua to propose.

In June, Laura traveled to Washington for a brief yet heartfelt prison wedding, attended by Joshua’s fellow inmates and celebrated with a white-themed ceremony.

Joshua’s past, including a conviction for controlled substance homicide, did not deter Laura. She chose to focus on the person Joshua was beyond his crime.

“I didn’t want to judge him just based on his conviction,” Laura shared. Instead, she learned about his life stories and found him to be emotionally insightful.

Facing Online Criticism

Despite their happiness, the couple faces skepticism online. Critics argue that Joshua might be using Laura for financial gain or suggest that their love won’t last.

“People just look into things with a made-up mind,” Laura said, defending their relationship against the naysayers.

Looking to the Future

Laura and Joshua remain hopeful. While they couldn’t spend their wedding night together, they’re looking forward to being approved for conjugal visits later this year.

Laura hopes to reunite with Joshua in the US once he’s released under house arrest in December 2025.

Their unconventional love story continues to unfold, proving that sometimes, true love finds you in the most unexpected places.