Gareth Pursehouse is the ex-boyfriend of Amie Harwick, a well-known therapist and former fiancee of comedian Drew Carey. Pursehouse is currently in prison, awaiting trial on charges of murder and first-degree residential burglary. He is accused of breaking into Harwick’s home, assaulting her, and throwing her off a balcony on February 15, 2020.

A History of Abuse and Stalking

According to court documents, Harwick and Pursehouse had a tumultuous relationship that ended years ago. Harwick had filed two restraining orders against Pursehouse, alleging that he had physically and emotionally abused her, choked her, threatened her, and stalked her. The last restraining order expired in 2015, but Harwick still feared for her safety.

In January 2020, Harwick and Pursehouse ran into each other at a professional event, where Pursehouse reportedly yelled at her and blamed her for ruining his life. Harwick told her friends that she was scared of Pursehouse and that he was obsessed with her. She also suspected that he was behind some anonymous comments on her Instagram account.

The Night of the Murder

On the night of February 14, 2020, Harwick was at her home in the Hollywood Hills with her roommate, Michael Herman. Around 1:15 a.m., Herman left the house to meet a friend. Shortly after, Pursehouse allegedly broke into the house, armed with a syringe containing nicotine, a lethal poison. He confronted Harwick in her bedroom, where a struggle ensued. Harwick managed to escape and ran to the balcony, screaming for help. Pursehouse followed her and allegedly threw her over the railing, causing her to fall three stories to the ground.

A neighbor heard the commotion and called 911. The police arrived at the scene and found Harwick lying on the ground, unconscious and severely injured. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The police also found signs of forced entry, a broken window, and blood stains in the house. They also recovered the syringe with nicotine on the balcony.

The Arrest and the Trial

The police identified Pursehouse as the prime suspect, based on Harwick’s previous statements and the DNA evidence found at the scene. They arrested him outside his home in Playa Del Rey on February 15, 2020, and booked him into jail without bail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed that he did not intend to kill Harwick.

In September 2021, Pursehouse appeared in court for a preliminary hearing, where the prosecutors presented the evidence against him, including surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and forensic analysis. The judge ruled that there was enough evidence to proceed to trial and denied Pursehouse’s request for bail. Pursehouse’s lawyers appealed the decision, arguing that the DNA evidence was inconclusive and that the syringe did not prove Pursehouse’s intent to kill. However, the appeal was rejected by another judge, who upheld the order for Pursehouse to stand trial for Harwick’s murder.

The trial date has not been set yet, but Pursehouse faces a possible sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted. He remains in custody at the Los Angeles County Jail.

A Call for Justice and Reform

Harwick’s death has sparked outrage and grief among her family, friends, and fans. She was a respected and beloved therapist, who specialized in sex and relationship counseling. She was also an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She had written a book titled “The New Sex Bible for Women” and had appeared on several podcasts and TV shows, including “The Doctors” and “The Price is Right”. She was engaged to Drew Carey in 2018, but they broke up in 2019.

Harwick’s death has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the laws and policies that are supposed to protect victims of stalking and domestic violence. Many people have called for stricter enforcement of restraining orders, harsher penalties for violators, and more resources and support for survivors. A petition has been launched to pass a bill named “Amie’s Law”, which would require mandatory GPS monitoring and mental health evaluation for stalkers. The bill has received over 100,000 signatures and has been endorsed by several celebrities, including Drew Carey, Dr. Oz, and Mayim Bialik.

Harwick’s legacy lives on through her work, her words, and her impact on the lives of many people. She is remembered as a compassionate, courageous, and inspiring woman, who dedicated her life to helping others. Her family and friends hope that justice will be served for her and that her death will not be in vain.

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