Who is Gareth Pursehouse? Biography, Wiki
Gareth Pursehouse, a 45-year-old Californian, held professions as a photographer and software engineer. His story is marked by a disturbing history of stalking and harassment directed towards his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Amie Harwick, with whom he had a year-long relationship in 2011-2012.
Age
He was born in 1978 and is currently age 45 years old.
Short Bio And Some Quick Facts
| Complete Name | Gareth Pursehouse |
| DOB | 1978 |
| Age | 45 years old |
| Job/Business | Photographer and software engineer |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Date of Murder | 15 February 2020 |
| Cause of Death | Not Available |
| Date of Arrest | 16 February 2020 |
| Charges | Murder and first-degree residential burglary with a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait |
| Plea | Not guilty |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Sentence | Life in prison without parole (Pending) |
| Net Worth | Approximately 500,000 US Dollars (As of 2020) |
Early Life and Education
Based on some online sources, Gareth Pursehouse was born in California in 1978, though his exact birthdate is unknown. He attended San Dieguito High School from 1993 to 1996. His professional career encompassed roles as a photographer and software engineer. Notably, he was the former boyfriend of Amie Harwick, a therapist whose tragic murder he was convicted of in September 2023. This conviction carries a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Family And Background
Gareth Pursehouse was born in California in 1978 to Robert and Susan Pursehouse. He grew up with a younger brother, Ryan Pursehouse, who also pursued a career as a software engineer. Gareth’s early years were spent in a middle-class environment, and he attended San Dieguito High School from 1993 to 1996.
What Was The Incident?
His obsession with Dr. Harwick prevented him from accepting their breakup, leading to a series of troubling behaviors. These included relentless messages, emails, and letters expressing a mix of love and anger, uninvited visits to her home and workplace, and threats of harm to both her and himself. At the time of her tragic death, Dr. Harwick was 38 years old and held licenses as a marriage and family therapist. She had previously worked as a Playboy model and authored a book on sexual health.
Dr. Harwick was also known for her advocacy work supporting sex workers and her dedication to a non-profit organization providing mental health care to performers in the adult industry. Her brief engagement with Drew Carey, host of “The Price is Right,” in 2018 ended later that year.
The Tragic Event
On Valentine’s Day weekend, February 15, 2020, Pursehouse forcibly entered Dr. Harwick’s Hollywood Hills residence and launched a brutal attack. He strangled her, assaulted her with a lamp, and ultimately threw her off a third-floor balcony. After committing these heinous acts, he fled the scene, leaving behind fingerprints and DNA as evidence.
Dr. Harwick’s screams were heard by her roommate, who promptly called 911. Police arrived to find Dr. Harwick gravely injured and unresponsive on the ground below the balcony. Despite urgent medical attention, she was pronounced dead. The autopsy report revealed her cause of death as blunt force injuries resulting from the fall, with additional signs of manual strangulation.
Pursehouse was apprehended the following day at his Playa del Rey residence. He faced charges of murder and first-degree residential burglary, accompanied by a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait. This special circumstance meant he could be sentenced to the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole if found guilty.
The Trial and Verdict
During the trial, Pursehouse pleaded not guilty, asserting self-defense and claiming he did not intend to kill Dr. Harwick or throw her from the balcony. However, the prosecution presented compelling evidence that contradicted his claims. They revealed his persistent stalking of Dr. Harwick, despite her securing restraining orders against him in 2012 and 2013. Social media posts containing derogatory comments about her and his online research on how to use a knife for harm further undermined his defense.
Numerous witnesses, including friends, colleagues, clients, neighbors, and past partners of Dr. Harwick, testified about Pursehouse’s obsession and violent behavior towards her. Drew Carey also reported that Dr. Harwick feared for her safety during their relationship, with Pursehouse even threatening their lives.
The defense aimed to portray Dr. Harwick as unstable and manipulative, alleging provocation and falsehoods regarding the abuse. They also attempted to raise doubts about the forensic evidence and the credibility of witnesses, emphasizing Pursehouse’s mental health struggles and emotional distress.
The jury, after deliberating for less than two hours, reached a verdict on September 29, 2023. They found Pursehouse guilty of murder and first-degree residential burglary with the special circumstance of lying in wait, rejecting his claims of self-defense and absence of intent.
Charged And Reaction
Gareth Pursehouse now faces a potential life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole as the maximum penalty for his crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for October 27, 2023, with Judge Ronald Coen presiding in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Upon hearing the verdict, Pursehouse remained emotionless and unrepentant. In contrast, Amie Harwick’s family and friends celebrated it as justice served. They embraced and shed tears of relief and joy, expressing gratitude to the jury, the prosecution, and the police for their dedication. Chris Harwick, Amie’s brother, expressed his satisfaction that Pursehouse was held accountable and hoped that her tragic death would raise awareness about domestic violence and stalking, encouraging victims to seek help and protection.
Lorraine Harwick, Amie’s mother, shared her pride in her daughter and her enduring grief, wishing for Pursehouse to spend the rest of his life behind bars, ensuring he wouldn’t harm anyone else. Drew Carey, though absent from the verdict hearing, released a statement through his representative, expressing relief and emphasizing his love for Amie Harwick as a positive influence in the world.
Verdict Reached: Man Found Guilty in Tragic Death of Renowned Therapist Amie Harwick
On Thursday, September 29, 2023, a Los Angeles jury found Gareth Pursehouse, aged 45, guilty of the murder of his former girlfriend, Amie Harwick, aged 38. The crime occurred on February 15, 2020, when Pursehouse threw Harwick off a balcony in her Hollywood Hills home.
Pursehouse was also convicted of first-degree residential burglary and lying in wait, a special circumstance that renders him eligible for a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. His sentencing is scheduled for October 27, 2023.
Amie Harwick: A Life Remembered
Amie Harwick was an accomplished writer and marriage and family therapist, specializing in sex and relationship counseling. She also had a notable stint as a Playboy model and was briefly engaged to comedian Drew Carey. Tragically, her life was cut short by Gareth Pursehouse’s heinous actions in February 2020.
Harwick was widely recognized for her contributions to therapy and authored “The New Sex Bible for Women: The Complete Guide to Sexual Self-Awareness and Intimacy.” Her expertise extended to various media appearances, including podcasts, TV shows, and YouTube videos, where she discussed matters of intimacy and self-awareness.
In addition to her professional work, Harwick was dedicated to supporting a non-profit organization that provided mental health care to individuals in the adult entertainment industry. Friends, family, and colleagues remember her as a positive influence in the world and a strong advocate for women.
Career
Before his arrest and conviction, Gareth Pursehouse had a successful career in photography and software engineering. His skills spanned search engine optimization (SEO), web development, and photography. He was proficient in programming languages like C#, C++, and Java, along with expertise in browser software. Pursehouse previously owned and created “The Night Network,” an online platform for nightlife entertainment.
His professional journey included positions such as a software engineer at Infinovation Company from 1998 to 2008, where he developed web applications and software solutions. In 2009, he joined VPI.Net as a software engineer for a year.
Subsequently, in 2013, he became a software engineer at Internet Brands, a company specializing in online media, e-commerce, and software services. Alongside his software career, he worked as a photographer for SBE Entertainment and Track Entertainment, covering events and parties in the Greater Los Angeles Area. His passion for photography and travel was documented on his YouTube channel, initiated in 2006.
Net Worth
According to some sources, Gareth Pursehouse’s estimated net worth in 2020 stood at approximately 500,000 US Dollars. However, it’s important to note that his financial situation may have changed following his arrest and conviction.
Gareth Pursehouse’s Social Media Handles
All the mentioned below are the social media handles of photographer and software engineer Gareth Pursehouse:
| Homepage | theeducationisthub.com |
| Not Available | |
| Not Available | |
| #GarethPursehouse | |
| Not Available | |
| YouTube | Not Available |
