Stalked to Death: The Killing of Amie Harwick
"If I ever disappear or if anything ever happens to me… you know it's him."
On 15th February 2020, LAPD responded to a call just after 1am which reported a woman screaming at a residence in Hollywood Hills, California. When police arrived, they were met by another resident who informed them that a woman was being assaulted inside her apartment.
Unfortunately, by the time authorities reached the scene, the body of 38 year old Dr Amie Harwick was already slumped lifelessly on the ground outside. She had been strangled and thrown over her third storey balcony. Amie was still alive whilst being transported to a nearby hospital, but later died.
Formerly a model, Amie went on to earn a PhD and establish herself as a family and sex therapist, who often worked in the public eye by offering her expertise on podcasts and TV shows. She had also written a successful book entitled "The New Sex Bible for Women: The Complete Guide to Sexual Self-Awareness and Intimacy."
Investigators quickly learned that Harwick had been experiencing some trouble with a scorned ex-partner named Gareth Pursehouse (pictured bottom). Despite previously taking out restraining orders against him, Amie still felt afraid and intimated. In 2011, Amie kept written documentation of the abuse she had suffered at his hands, including choking, suffocation, being kicked and punched, and also being pushed forcibly against a wall.
Although Amie had ended her relationship with Pursehouse over 10 years prior, he tracked her down at a professional event in January 2020 and began shouting that she had ruined his life. When later discussing this frightening experience with her best friend, Amie stated: "If I ever disappear of if anything ever happens to me … you know it's him."
Unfortunately, Amie's biggest fears were to be lived, and the worst possible thing did cruelly happen to her in her own home, just one hour after Valentine's Day. Pursehouse lay in wait, strategically planning his attack and waiting for the perfect time to intimidate and overpower his victim.
Amie made her positive mark in the world by working passionately to help those who have endured experiences of domestic violence, as well as providing counselling to victims of sex trafficking and people battling other issues within their romantic relationships. It is tragic that she devoted her career to helping people who had been subjected to traumatic experiences, sometimes at the hands of their own partners, yet lost her own life to a violent former lover.
41 year old Gareth Pursehouse was arrested and charged for murder as well as residential burglary in February 2020, with the added allegation of 'lying in wait' - which is considered an aggravating circumstance and enables harsher sentencing, due to the premeditation implied. In April of the same year, he pleaded not guilty, however still remains incarcerated and is yet to face court proceedings. If convicted, Pursehouse faces the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.
Although they had amicably split at the time of her death, Amie had been engaged to American actor and comedian Drew Carey, who paid a loving tribute to his ex-fiancé and described her as: "A positive force in the world and an unapologetic champion of women."
Since her death, Drew began supporting an online petition calling for tighter stalking laws, which to date has gained over 308,000 signatures and is still increasing. The 'Justice 4 Amie' petition can be accessed and supported by clicking here.
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