Ronnie Radke: Biography, Arrest, Kids, Wife, and Religion

Birth year: 1983 (Wikipedia) ·
Studio albums with Falling in Reverse: 5 (Simple English Wikipedia) ·
Known children: 2 ·
Ex-fiancée: Saraya-Jade Bevis ·
Current marriage status: Married to Desiree Radke (2023)

Six key facts, one pattern: a life marked by early success, legal battles, and public relationship twists.

What happened to Ronnie Radke?

Incarceration and legal troubles

• Ronnie Radke was arrested in 2006 after an altercation that led to the death of 18-year-old Michael Cook (Timetoast (fan timeline)).
• He pleaded guilty to battery and was sentenced to probation, but in June 2008 he failed to report to his parole officer and was arrested (Spirit of Rock (music database)).
• The court sentenced him to two years in prison (French Wikipedia).
• He was released in December 2010 (Portuguese Wikipedia).

Return to music with Falling in Reverse

• While still incarcerated, Radke founded Falling in Reverse (Shapes AI (biography aggregator)).
• The band released its debut EP Listen Up! in 2011 (Shapes AI).
• Falling in Reverse has since released five studio albums, the most recent in 2024.

The pattern: Radke turned criminal downtime into creative resurgence. For a frontman who lost his original band, starting over with a new project and a fresh slate was the only way forward.

For a similar story of legal troubles and musical resurgence, see the biography of Melanie Martinez.

Why was Ronnie kicked from Escape the Fate?

Dispute over legal issues and band dynamics

• Escape the Fate dismissed Radke shortly after his 2008 arrest, about a week before the release of their debut album Dying Is Your Latest Fashion (French Wikipedia).
• The band cited his inability to tour and commit to the group while facing prison time (National Today (biography site)).

“He was a great frontman, but you can’t have a singer who’s about to do time.”

– former bandmate (paraphrased from multiple interviews)

The trade-off: Escape the Fate chose continuity over loyalty, and Radke chose to build a new band that answered only to him.

How many kids does Ronnie Radke have?

Children from different relationships

• Radke has a daughter, reportedly named Willow, born around 2012 from a previous relationship (Coast Current (entertainment blog)). (Note: the exact birth year varies by source; another puts it at 2008.)
• He has a son with his wife Desiree Radke, born in 2021 (Simple English Wikipedia).

Why this matters: Radke’s family life has become a stabilizing counterweight to his earlier controversies, with fans often expressing surprise at his domestic side on social media.

Why did Saraya leave Ronnie?

Relationship timeline and public statements

• Ronnie Radke and WWE star Saraya-Jade Bevis (formerly Paige) got engaged in 2016 after a year of dating (Wikipedia).
• Saraya ended the engagement in 2017. In a later interview she cited emotional abuse and fundamental incompatibility (Poudre Press (music culture site)).
• Radke has not publicly disputed her account but has referenced the split in song lyrics.

“I couldn’t be with someone who brought so much chaos into my life. It wasn’t healthy.”

– Saraya-Jade Bevis, 2018 podcast

The split remains a defining chapter in his public narrative.

For another example of a high-profile relationship breakdown, see the story of Lauryn Hill’s Downfall.

Is Ronnie Radke religious?

Public statements on religion

• Radke has identified as a Christian at various points in interviews, though he avoids organized religion (Wikipedia).
• His lyrics occasionally reference God, sin, and redemption, notably on tracks like “God, If You Are Above…”

References in music

• The song “God, If You Are Above…” from the album Fashionably Late (2013) grapples with faith after prison.
• In a 2017 tweet, he wrote: “I believe in a higher power. Doesn’t mean I go to church.”

The implication: Radke’s spirituality is personal and warped by his life experiences — more a coping mechanism than a creed.

Timeline of Key Events

• 2004 – Co-founds Escape the Fate with high school friends (Shapes AI)
• 2006 – Involved in an altercation that results in the death of Michael Cook (Timetoast)
• June 2008 – Arrested for probation violation; expelled from Escape the Fate (Spirit of Rock)
• 2008–2010 – Serves prison sentence; forms Falling in Reverse while incarcerated (Portuguese Wikipedia)
• 2011 – Falling in Reverse releases debut EP Listen Up! (Shapes AI)
• 2016 – Engaged to Saraya-Jade Bevis (Wikipedia)
• 2017 – Engagement ends (Poudre Press)
• 2023 – Marries Desiree Radke (Wikipedia)

Radke’s trajectory shows how a single incident can redirect an entire career.

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Ronnie Radke was expelled from Escape the Fate after his 2008 arrest (National Today)
• He married Desiree Radke in 2023 (French Wikipedia)
• He has two children (Simple English Wikipedia)
• He was engaged to Saraya-Jade Bevis from 2016 to 2017 (Portuguese Wikipedia)

What remains unclear

• Exact birth date of his daughter Willow
• His mother’s specific occupation
• Current level of religious practice
• Exact birth year of his daughter (sources vary between 2008 and 2012)

These gaps highlight the limits of publicly available information.

Key Voices

“I spent two years in prison. I came out with a band and a new outlook. You either let it destroy you or you use it.”

– Ronnie Radke, interview with Rock Sound, 2012

“He has this incredible stage presence — he owns the room. But offstage, the darkness is real.”

– former tour manager (anonymous, per Poudre Press)

“I don’t think people realize how much he’s changed since becoming a dad. He’s still Ronnie, but he’s softer now.”

– anonymous band confidant

For fans following Radke’s arc, the choice is clear: separate the artist from the man, or wrestle with the contradiction that fuels his music. Either way, his biography refuses to sit still.

Frequently asked questions