The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office revealed in a press release on Wednesday that Gareth Pursehouse, the ex-boyfriend of Dr. Amie Harwick, was arrested and charged with her murder. This comes only a few hours after he posted his $2 million bond and was released.
The accused, who was currently residing in Playa del Ray, is charged with one count each of murder and first-degree residential burglary with the special circumstance allegation of lying in wait. Those charges alone deem him eligible for the death penalty, or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.
Here’s what we know…
Police showed up to Harwick’s residence around 1 a.m. on Saturday February 15, the 2000 block of Mound Street in Hollywood Hills, after they received an alarming call of a “woman screaming.” Once they arrived, Harwick’s roommate said the celebrated therapist was assaulted by an ex-boyfriend.
Dr. Amie, 38, was found unresponsive and lying on the ground beneath a third story balcony. The author’s death was almost immediately ruled a homicide, as an autopsy revealed she passed from blunt force trauma to her head and torso. Police also said there was evidence of manual strangulation.
This will all be significant to the case against Pursehouse, as he had a complicated history with the deceased. Multiple outlets reported the pair dated almost a decade ago, and Amie went to court TWICE to seek restraining orders. She was awarded a temporary restraining order in 2011, but it was dismissed when she failed to show up for a follow-up hearing. Only nine months later, Harwick returned to court and secured the order of protection. Sources have also said this expired recently, and the pair had a run-in at an event in Los Angeles a few weeks ago.
In an interview with the LA Times, her friend Vera Duffy spoke about Amie’s reaction to seeing Pursehouse in person:
“She said that when he saw her, he just went ballistic. He lost it. He made a scene. She was very scared. … She said, ‘What am I going to do? I let my roommate know, I have home security’”
Absolutely terrifying.
Dr. Harwick was also known in Hollywood circles due to her past engagement to Price Is Right host Drew Carey. Upon hearing the news, the TV host shared he was “overcome with grief” and his show’s production would be halted:
“Amie and I had a love that people are lucky to have once in a lifetime. She was a positive force in the world, a tireless and unapologetic champion for women, and passionate about her work as a therapist. I am overcome with grief. I would like to thank you in advance for giving myself and everyone who loved Amie privacy while we try to work through this tragic situation.”
This case is ongoing, so check back here for any updates.
Rest in peace, sweet Amie.
[Image via WENN/YouTube]
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