The ex-boyfriend of renowned Hollywood sex therapist Amie Harwick has been sentenced to life in prison for her murder. Gareth Pursehouse, 45, was convicted in September of slaying Harwick at her Los Angeles home on February 15, 2020. Pursehouse, who had a brief relationship with Harwick that ended in 2012, broke into her home, choked her, and threw her off a third-floor balcony.
Harwick, 38, who was once engaged to The Price is Right host Drew Carey, tragically died at the hospital as a result of the attack. Pursehouse has now received a life sentence with no possibility of parole, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday.
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Victor Avila revealed that Pursehouse had an obsession with Harwick that persisted even years after their breakup. Avila stated, The evidence showed he was obsessed with Amie Harwick. He felt entitled to her…eight years by happenstance they bumped into each other. He goes into this angry emotional tailspin and tells her she ruined his life.
Harwick had filed two restraining orders against Pursehouse before the attack, expressing genuine concern for her safety. Despite her efforts to protect herself, tragedy struck when she encountered Pursehouse again one month prior to her death at a porn awards party. At that time, her second restraining order had expired. Harwick attended the event due to her involvement with a charity providing mental health support to individuals in the sex industry, while Pursehouse was present as a photographer.
Witnesses reported an argument between the pair, during which Pursehouse allegedly blamed Harwick for ruining his life. On the day of the attack, Harwick returned home to find that Pursehouse had broken into her apartment. A confrontation ensued, leading to Pursehouse throwing Harwick off the balcony.
Harwick’s roommate testified, describing the horrific sounds she heard. It sounded like bodies hitting the ground, she said, recounting the distressing moments. The autopsy report confirmed that Harwick’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to her head and upper body, as well as evidence of manual strangulation.
During the trial, Pursehouse’s defense attempted to argue that Harwick accidentally fell off the balcony while trying to escape. The defense presented a photo of Harwick wearing a black lace bodysuit, posing on the edge of the balcony, suggesting she had a familiarity with it. However, no witnesses were called to support this claim.
The defense also highlighted the presence of a lethal nicotine syringe found at the scene, implying it was an opportunity for Pursehouse to harm Harwick. They suggested that he intended to use the syringe on himself instead. Attorney Evan Franzel addressed the jury, saying, He set the chain of actions into motion that led to her death, but the evidence will show that he never intended on killing her, according to FOX News.
Amie Harwick, a notable sex therapist and author of The New Sex Bible for Women, leaves behind a legacy of expertise and compassion. Her tragic death serves as a devastating reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing domestic violence.
In conclusion, Gareth Pursehouse’s life sentence provides some measure of justice for the loss of Amie Harwick, as her family and friends continue to mourn her untimely passing. The trial shed light on the dangers of obsession and the urgent need for systemic changes to protect victims of domestic violence.
