FAMILY THERAPIST DR AMIE HARWICK WAS BRUTALLY MURDERED BY AN EX-LOVER
On the 27 September, a jury in LA delivered along-awaited verdict against 45-year-old Gareth Pursehouse. After a tense trial, he was found guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend, Dr Amie Harwick, and his conviction likely means he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. How Amie’s life was cut short at the hands of her former love is a tale of stalking, obsession and abuse. And sadly it would appear the tragedy could have been prevented.
ABUSE
Amie was a woman as beautiful as she was intelligent. Described by those closest to her as “a once-in-a-lifetime friend”, at 38, she had worked hard to build her reputation as a high-profile family and sex therapist. Moving to LA in 2001, Amie gained a psychology degree and would go on to earn a master’s in clinical psychology. She had supported herself throughout her studies working as a model, dancer and bartender in venues in and around Hollywood. In 2008, while working as a model under the name Amie Nicole, she would meet Pursehouse. He was attractive and charismatic, and before long, the couple embarked upon a romantic relationship. Pursehouse worked as a software engineer, but was also an amateur photographer, model and comedian. But far from being the all-round nice guy Amie thought he was, the union began to sour as Pursehouse’s overt persona gave way to a hidden darkness. Amie would confide to concerned friends that he had been physically assaulting and emotionally abusing her. Although they begged her to leave, Amie believed Pursehouse could change and that she could help him overcome his demons
Still, she began documenting the abuse. She filed numerous police reports, and was granted protective orders in 2011 and 2012. The contents of one stated that during one physical assault, “[Pursehouse] suffocated me, punched me, and slammed my head on the ground, kicked me,” adding, “He has told me he hit me ‘because I made him so mad’ and he refused to get help while in the relationship.” Later in 2012, after a horrifying 18 months, Amie finally ended the relationship. Pursehouse was incensed and his aggressive behaviour would only worsen. He regularly sat outside her home watching her through the windows, and sent unwanted gifts. Four years after their break-up, Amie’s home was broken into, her computer files were wiped and photo albums were stolen. She was convinced Pursehouse was behind the robbery. In the intervening years, he persistently sent messages to Amie, telling her, “Things will get worse”, and he would attempt to alienate her by sabotaging her friendships. He was obsessed.
But in spite of everything, Amie was going from strength to strength in her professional life. And in 2017, she met US comedian and game-show host Drew Carey at a Hollywood party. The couple fell in love and got engaged later that year, with Drew
