Gareth Pursehouse was discovered responsible of murdering Hollywood therapist Amie Harwick and sentenced to life in jail with out the potential for parole.
Here is a take a look at the proof that led to his conviction.
Gareth Pursehouse arrested
Los Angeles County District Legal professional’s Workplace
Within the afternoon of Feb. 15, 2020, Gareth Pursehouse was arrested close to his house for the homicide of his ex-girlfriend, Amie Harwick. The 2 hadn’t dated in nearly a decade.
LAPD investigators gathered a trove of proof launched after Pursehouse’s trial in 2023.
A rush for assist
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Amie Harwick’s roommate, Michael Herman, mentioned he was woken up within the early morning hours of Feb. 15, 2020 by a “bloodcurdling scream.” Herman says he may inform somebody was upstairs attacking Harwick. He rushed to search out his cellphone however was unable to. Herman made the tough choice to depart to get assist. He might be seen on a next-door neighbor’s Ring digicam banging on their door, however nobody responded. Herman discovered somebody on the road and used their cellphone to dial 911.
Harwick’s dad and mom, Penny and Tom Harwick, inform “48 Hours” that Herman “made all the precise selections.”
Police physique digicam video
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
As police arrived at Harwick’s home, they tried to make sense of the chaotic scene. Michael Herman instructed police somebody had attacked Harwick. He hadn’t seen the intruder, however he mentioned he heard the assault.
First impressions inside Amie Harwick’s house
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
When officers first searched the residence that evening, there was no tell-tale signal of a break-in, however Harwick’s belongings had been scattered on the ground, together with her purse.
Amie Harwick’s jacket
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Harwick’s jacket was discovered on the ground of her TV room.
Amie Harwick’s damaged necklace
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Harwick’s damaged necklace was additionally discovered on the ground of her TV room.
LAPD officers uncover a syringe
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
As officers continued to look upstairs, they discovered a syringe which contained a mysterious yellowish-brown substance on the third flooring balcony. Responding officers initially believed the syringe contained heroin, however LAPD Murder Detective Scott Masterson mentioned he knew it wasn’t. The syringe was despatched out for testing by the FBI, and months later, it was revealed to comprise a deadly dose of liquid nicotine.
Level of entry
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Within the gentle of day, investigators noticed a damaged glass panel on the French doorways of Harwick’s house. “As quickly as we noticed that, OK … That is our level of entry,” Masterson mentioned.
Blood on the ground
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Subsequent to what investigators designated as their level of entry, they discovered a bloodstain on the ground. A pattern of the blood was despatched to the LAPD lab and the outcomes revealed a match to Gareth Pursehouse’s DNA.
Amie Harwick’s unmade mattress
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Whereas strolling by Harwick’s home, one thing caught Masterson’s consideration. “Every part was neat, clear, tidy and put away,” he mentioned. Every part besides Amie’s mattress. The covers had been pulled again. “I believe [Gareth Pursehouse] climbed in her mattress,” mentioned Masterson. He calls it, “very creepy.”
Caught on safety digicam
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Detectives situated safety footage from the next-door neighbor’s safety digicam, which they are saying confirmed Pursehouse strolling by Harwick’s neighbor’s yard and leaping over a fence into Harwick’s yard.
Blocking the digicam
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Pursehouse was additionally seen on safety footage making an attempt to cowl the neighbor’s safety digicam together with his gloved hand. Prosecutors instructed “48 Hours,” “It will cease the movement and it will flip off the digicam.”
Michael Herman’s police interview
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Hours after Harwick was attacked, Herman went to the Hollywood police station for an interview. He says Harwick had an ex-boyfriend whom she had filed a restraining order in opposition to, however it had expired. He instructed them he could not bear in mind the ex-boyfriend’s title, however that one other one in all Harwick’s pals would know.
That good friend gave police Gareth Pursehouse’s title.
Indicators of a battle
Superior Court docket of California, County of Los Angeles
Pursehouse was arrested. Police say he appeared to have a black eye and what appeared like a chew mark on his bicep. “To us it was indicative of Amie preventing for her life,” Prosecutor Victor Avila instructed “48 Hours.” “However she was clearly up in opposition to a a lot greater, stronger opponent.”
“How arduous did Amie struggle for her life?” requested “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty.
“I believe she fought with all the things she had,” mentioned Masterson.
