HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – A chance encounter at a red carpet event in Hollywood led to a tragic series of events that culminated in the death of successful family therapist Amie Harwick. According to prosecutors, her ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse broke into her home on Valentine’s Day 2020 and attacked her, ultimately dropping her from her third-floor balcony. Harwick, 38, later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. Pursehouse was arrested the same day.
The case against Pursehouse unfolded in a Los Angeles courtroom in August 2023, with Deputy District Attorney Catherine Mariano highlighting Pursehouse’s nine-year obsession with Harwick as the driving force behind his intent to harm her. This obsession was ignited when Pursehouse saw Harwick at an awards show about a month before her death.
A haunting email written by Harwick to herself detailed the encounter with Pursehouse, where she expressed fear and concern over his behavior and obsessive nature towards her. Despite receiving a restraining order against Pursehouse after their breakup years earlier, Harwick found herself once again in a state of distress as she tried to navigate the security measures to keep herself safe.
During the trial, the defense presented a different narrative, suggesting that Harwick may have initiated a physical confrontation with Pursehouse. However, the state argued that it was Harwick’s fear and desperation that painted a clear picture of the intensity of her ex-boyfriend’s obsession and his intent to harm her.
Despite the defense’s efforts, the email written by Harwick, which detailed Pursehouse’s erratic and obsessive behavior, served as a powerful piece of evidence for the prosecution. Lead homicide detective Scott Masterson, now retired, described it as the closest thing to a victim testifying in their own murder, reflecting the devastating impact of the case.
As the trial came to a close, the question remained: What would the jury make of the evidence presented? The tragic story of Amie Harwick and her harrowing encounter with her ex-boyfriend sheds light on the complexities of obsession and the lasting impact it can have on the lives of those involved.
“Justice for Amie Harwick,” a comprehensive look at the case, will air on “48 Hours,” offering a closer examination of the events that unfolded and the impact of Harwick’s tragic death.