← Back to United States casesAmy Harwick Murdered by Gareth Pursehouse, Los Angeles, California, United States
Case Summary
Amy Harwick, a well-known sex therapist and author, was attacked at her Los Angeles home on Valentine's night in 2020 after her former partner Gareth Pursehouse allegedly entered the residence and waited for her. Harwick was found below her bedroom balcony with evidence of strangulation and died after being transported for medical treatment. Investigators used witness statements, surveillance footage, scene evidence, Harwick's prior restraining-order history, messages, and forensic findings to identify Pursehouse. He was arrested, later convicted of first-degree murder and burglary with criminal intent, and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Basic Information
Country: United States
State/Province: California, United States
City/Region: Los Angeles
Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide
Relationship Status: Ex-partners
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: Feb. 15, 2020
Incident Sequence and Additional Victims
Primary reported outcome: Homicide
Reported self-harm outcome: No suicide or attempt reported
Reported sequence: Order not reported / unclear
Additional victims reported: 0
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Friends circle
Relationship Stages:
- Dating
- Separated
- Police report filed
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Domestic Violence Allegation
- Domestic Conflict
- Mental instability
- Love obsession
- Divorce / Separation
Red Flags:
- Sudden change in routine or habits
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Suspects identified
- Manipulative behavior
- Missing Suspect
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- High-Conflict Household
Motives:
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Control/domination
- Eliminate romantic partner
Relationship Outcomes:
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide before divorce
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Investigation still ongoing
Source Video
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People Link Graph
Amy Harwick Murdered by Gareth Pursehouse, Los Angeles, California, United States
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Friends circle
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Ex-partners
Stages
- Dating
- Separated
- Police report filed
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Sudden change in routine or habits
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Suspects identified
- Manipulative behavior
- Missing Suspect
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- High-Conflict Household
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Domestic Violence Allegation
- Domestic Conflict
- Mental instability
- Love obsession
- Divorce / Separation
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Control/domination
- Eliminate romantic partner
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2020-02-15
Outcome
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide before divorce
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Investigation still ongoing
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Domestic Violence
Pattern Analysis
The source describes a former romantic relationship marked by controlling and jealous behavior, physical violence, threats, stalking, and repeated unwanted contact. Harwick ended the relationship and sought restraining orders, while Pursehouse reportedly continued monitoring and pursuing her years later. The reported homicide followed renewed contact, escalating messages, alleged surveillance, and a planned ambush at her home.
Investigative Notes
Police responded after roommate Michael Herman sought help and a passerby called emergency services. Investigators documented a disrupted residence, broken glass, a broken necklace, a disturbed bed, a syringe containing a lethal dose of liquid nicotine according to FBI testing, and a small blood spot. Surveillance footage and Herman's account helped identify Gareth Pursehouse. He was arrested about 13 hours after Harwick's death and charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances and burglary. The source reports that a jury convicted him on September 29, 2023, and that he received life imprisonment without parole.
Investigation Confusion
Early uncertainty involved whether Harwick had fallen accidentally or had been thrown, whether the attacker was armed, and whether Michael Herman might be a suspect rather than a witness. The defense reportedly argued that the death could have been an accidental fall and questioned the significance of the nicotine syringe, despite the reported strangulation evidence, surveillance footage, blood evidence, and prior messages.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Harwick and Pursehouse had dated around 2011, and the source reports that the relationship included physical violence, control, jealousy, and threats. Harwick ended the relationship and obtained restraining orders in 2011 and 2012, with the later order lasting until 2015. After the order expired, Pursehouse allegedly continued stalking Harwick through home entry, computer access, email and social-media monitoring, and retained messages. Their unexpected encounter at an industry event preceded Harwick's written report of fear, Pursehouse's repeated messages and requests to meet, and her efforts to block him and secure her home. On Valentine's night, surveillance reportedly placed Pursehouse near the residence, where he allegedly entered, waited in the bedroom, attacked Harwick, and caused her to fall from the balcony. Scene evidence, forensic findings, witness information, digital records, and surveillance connected the former partner to the homicide and supported the later conviction.
Risk Assessment
The source describes a high-risk post-separation pattern involving prior assaults, choking allegations, threats, stalking, unauthorized entry, digital intrusion, renewed contact after years of separation, and apparent planning. Harwick reportedly changed locks, blocked contact, obtained protective orders, and acquired pepper spray, indicating perceived danger. These facts are source-reported and do not independently establish causation beyond the court outcome described.
Key Takeaways
The source highlights the danger of post-separation violence when prior physical abuse, threats, stalking, coercive control, and repeated unwanted contact are present. Protective orders and practical safety measures were reportedly used, but the source emphasizes that persistent stalking can continue after long periods without contact. The case also illustrates how surveillance, witness accounts, prior court records, digital evidence, and forensic findings can connect a former partner to a planned attack.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
The most important reported early signals were physical assaults, an alleged choking attempt, being thrown from a moving car, controlling and jealous behavior, threats, restraining-order proceedings, stalking, unauthorized entry, digital intrusion, and repeated unwanted contact after the relationship ended.
Which clues helped connect the case?
The reported clues included Michael Herman's account of screams and breaking glass, surveillance footage around the residence, the disturbed bedroom and bed, broken glass, a blood spot, Harwick's prior messages and emails expressing fear, the history of restraining orders, and evidence identifying Pursehouse near the residence.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
The source presents surveillance footage, witness testimony, forensic evidence of strangulation, the blood spot on broken glass, scene disruption, digital and message records, and prior court documents as the strongest evidence categories. The source also reports FBI testing of the syringe, although it does not report that nicotine was detected in Harwick's body.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Michael Herman reportedly heard breaking glass and later screams, attempted to alert the attacker, fled to seek help, and told police that he had heard screams. A passerby reportedly helped contact police. Harwick's friend Marcy reportedly described Pursehouse as controlling and jealous. Pursehouse's later girlfriend reportedly testified about scratches and bruises on him on the day of the homicide.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Follow-up investigation reportedly changed the initial uncertainty from a possible accidental fall or suspicion of the roommate to identification of Pursehouse through surveillance, forensic findings, prior relationship records, and Harwick's communications. The source later reports a conviction and life sentence without parole.
What remained unclear?
The source leaves some details unclear, including the exact number and timing of alleged unauthorized entries, the precise role intended for the nicotine syringe, the complete explanation for the first restraining order's invalidation, and the full chronology of some relationship events. The source also contains transcription and naming inconsistencies.