Amie Harwick
{{Short description|American therapist and writer (1981–2020)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Amie Harwick
| image = Amie Nicole Harwick 2020 by Glenn Francis.jpg
| alt = photo of Amie Harwick on January sixteenth twenty twenty
| caption = Harwick in January 2020
| birth_name = Amie Nicole Harwick
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1981|05|20}}
| birth_place = Sellersville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|02|15|1981|05|20}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| death_cause = Murder
| burial_place = Whitemarsh Memorial Park, Ambler, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| other_names = {{ubl|
| Amie Nicole
| Nicolette Novak
}}
| alma_mater = {{ubl|
| California State Polytechnic University (BA)
| Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (PhD)
}}
| occupation = Family and sex counselor
| organization = Pineapple Support
| notable_works = Author of The New Sex Bible for Women (2014)
{{ISBN|1592336418}}
| website = {{official website}}
}}
File:Amie Harwick 2014 by Glenn Francis.jpg
Amie Nicole Harwick (May 20, 1981{{snds}}February 15, 2020) was an American marriage and family therapist and writer. Known for her work with clients in West Hollywood, she authored The New Sex Bible for Women: The Complete Guide to Sexual Self-Awareness and Intimacy (2014) and regularly discussed her work on podcasts, TV, and her YouTube channel. In 2018, she was briefly the fiancée of comedian Drew Carey. During the final years of her life, she worked with Pineapple Support, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health support to members of the adult film industry.
When she was 38 years old, Harwick was murdered by an ex-boyfriend at her Hollywood Hills apartment. Her killer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Biography
Adopted as a child,{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amie-harwick-drew-carey-gareth-pursehouse-violent-death-evidence/ |title=Blood, a broken necklace and a poison-filled syringe are evidence in Amie Harwick's violent death |website=CBS News |access-date=February 23, 2022 |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223132921/https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/amie-harwick-drew-carey-gareth-pursehouse-violent-death-evidence/ |url-status=live}} Harwick grew up in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, graduating from North Penn High School in 1999.{{Cite web |title=Obituary for Amie Nicole Harwick at Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Inc. |url=https://www.huffandlakjer.com/obituary/amie-harwick |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.huffandlakjer.com |language=en}} After marrying a heavy metal musician, she moved to Los Angeles in 2001. In her early career, she worked as a personal trainer under the name Amie Nicole, releasing a workout DVD titled Amie Nicole's Fit to Rock. To help pay for educational expenses, she worked multiple side jobs, including as a go-go dancer, bartender, and model; she modeled for Playboy under the name Nicolette Novak.{{cite news |last1=Holcombe |first1=Madeline |last2= Moon |first2=Sarah |title=Amie Harwick was strangled before she was thrown over balcony, autopsy finds |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/20/us/amie-harwick-murder-ex-boyfriend-arrested/index.html |archive-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501063046/https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/20/us/amie-harwick-murder-ex-boyfriend-arrested/index.html|url-status=live |access-date=24 January 2023 |work=CNN |date=February 20, 2020}}
After completing a degree in psychology at California State Polytechnic University, Harwick earned a Master of Arts in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and received a PhD from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (a non-accredited institution). She became a well-known marriage and family therapist in West Hollywood, where she specialized in family and sex counseling.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/amie-harwick-murder/|title=Colleagues and Friends React to the Murder of Hollywood Sex Therapist Dr. Amie Harwick|first=Gwynedd|last=Stuart|date=February 17, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229164108/https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/amie-harwick-murder/|url-status=live}} She regularly appeared on podcasts, TV, and her YouTube channel to discuss her work.{{Cite web|url=https://q13fox.com/2020/02/18/drew-carey-mourns-death-of-ex-fiancee-amie-harwick/|title=Drew Carey mourns death of ex-fiancée Amie Harwick|date=February 18, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|archive-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501051657/https://q13fox.com/2020/02/18/drew-carey-mourns-death-of-ex-fiancee-amie-harwick/|url-status=live}} In 2014, she published a book, The New Sex Bible for Women: The Complete Guide to Sexual Self-Awareness and Intimacy.{{cite book |title=The New Sex Bible for Women: The Complete Guide to Sexual Self-Awareness and Intimacy |date=November 2014 |publisher=Quiver |isbn=978-1592336418 }} In 2015, she was featured in the documentary film Addicted to Sexting.
At a party in the summer of 2017, Harwick met comedian Drew Carey. Several weeks later, they went on their first date to Disneyland.{{Cite web |last=Prior |first=Sarah |date=2023-12-07 |title=Drew Carey heard from former fiancée Amie Harwick out of the blue just two days before her untimely death - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amie-harwick-drew-carey-heard-from-former-fiancee-before-untimely-death/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} They announced their engagement in January 2018 but ended their relationship amicably later that year.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/drew-carey-engaged-dr-amie-harwick-article-1.3791359 |title=Drew Carey engaged to Dr. Amie Harwick |first=Peter |last=Sblendorio |website=nydailynews.com |date=January 31, 2018 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928093108/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/drew-carey-engaged-dr-amie-harwick-article-1.3791359 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/2020/04/what-happened-to-drew-careys-ex-fiance-amie-harwick.html|title=What We Know About the Death of Amie Harwick|first=Bridget|last=Read|date=April 17, 2020|website=The Cut|access-date=April 19, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922183145/https://www.thecut.com/2020/04/what-happened-to-drew-careys-ex-fiance-amie-harwick.html|url-status=live}} After Harwick's death, Carey told NBC News that she had been "a positive force in the world and an unapologetic champion of women."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/ex-boyfriend-arrested-in-death-of-celebrity-sex-therapist-amie-harwick-lapd-says-78907973758|title=Ex-boyfriend arrested in death of celebrity sex therapist Amie Harwick, LAPD says|website=NBC News|access-date=April 19, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220233858/https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/ex-boyfriend-arrested-in-death-of-celebrity-sex-therapist-amie-harwick-lapd-says-78907973758|url-status=live}}
In the final years of her life, Harwick worked with Pineapple Support, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health support in the adult entertainment industry.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/amie-harwick-gareth-pursehouse-hollywood-sex-therapist-death-957882/ |title=Inside the Bright Life of a Murdered Hollywood Sex Therapist |first1=E. J. |last1=Dickson |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 10, 2020 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411084208/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/amie-harwick-gareth-pursehouse-hollywood-sex-therapist-death-957882/ |url-status=live}} She served on the board of directors of Rock to Recovery, a nonprofit organization that treats addiction and mental health issues with music therapy.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Chris |date=21 February 2020 |title=Slain Therapist Amie Harwick Was a 'Totally Unique Person' Who Lived to Help Others, Say Friends |url=https://people.com/crime/amie-harwick-slain-therapist-totally-unique-person/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=People.com |language=en}}
Murder
On the evening of Valentine's Day 2020, Harwick attended a burlesque performance, returning to her Hollywood Hills apartment shortly after 1:00 a.m. on February 15. At 1:16 a.m., her roommate placed an emergency call to the Los Angeles Police Department, reporting screaming in the apartment.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-10 |title=Amie Harwick’s ex ordered to trial for her death as court hears he had lethal syringe |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/amie-harwick-murder-ex-boyfriend-trial-b2032979.html |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=The Independent |language=en}} The responding officers found Harwick badly injured and unresponsive on the patio beneath her third-floor balcony; she was later pronounced dead at a hospital. An initial investigation found that she had been strangled and thrown from the balcony after a home invasion.
Police arrested Gareth Pursehouse, a 41-year-old software engineer, photographer, and aspiring comedian whom Harwick had dated for around 18 months in the early 2010s. After she ended the relationship, he reportedly stalked and harassed her,{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=KC |last2=Hanlon |first2=Greg |last3=Pelisek |first3=Christine |date=3 April 2020 |title=Hollywood Sex Therapist Amie Harwick Likely Fought for Life Before Being Thrown off Balcony: Autopsy |url=https://people.com/crime/amie-harwick-likely-fought-for-life-autopsy-report/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=People.com |language=en}} and she filed multiple applications for restraining orders.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Ryan |date=2023-12-07 |title=Hollywood sex therapist's killer gets life in prison |url=https://www.newsweek.com/amie-harwick-hollywood-sex-therapist-killer-gareth-pursehouse-life-prison-1850346 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} A month before her death, she encountered him at the XBIZ Awards, an adult entertainment awards ceremony; she was attending on behalf of Pineapple Support while he was working as a photographer.{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Christian |date=2023-09-30 |title=Man convicted of killing well-known therapist Amie Harwick by throwing her off balcony |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-09-29/man-convicted-of-killing-noted-family-therapist-amie-harwick |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Her friends witnessed him confronting her, calling her a "bitch" and accusing her of ruining his life.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz_uqVE-RYM |title=‘You Ruined My Life, You B*tch’: Amie Harwick’s Ex-Boyfriend Berated Her at Adult Event, Friend Says |date=2023-08-30 |last=Law&Crime Network |access-date=2025-02-14 |via=YouTube}}
Pursehouse was charged with Harwick's murder, with the special circumstance of lying in wait, breaking and entering, and home burglary.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/28/opinions/amie-harwick-orders-of-protection-drexler/index.html|title=The tragic details of the killing of Amie Harwick|first=Peggy|last=Drexler|website=CNN|date=February 29, 2020 |access-date=April 19, 2020|archive-date=March 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313215244/https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/28/opinions/amie-harwick-orders-of-protection-drexler/index.html|url-status=live}} His trial began on August 29, 2023. Prosecutors gave evidence that, on the night of Valentine's Day 2020, he broke into her apartment, waited several hours until she returned home, and then punched her, strangled her, and threw her off the third-floor balcony, causing her death by blunt force trauma to the head and torso.{{Cite news |last=Oladipo |first=Gloria |date=2023-12-07 |title=Ex-boyfriend given life without parole for murder of Hollywood therapist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/07/amie-harwick-murder-convicted |access-date=2025-02-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} He had brought a syringe containing a lethal amount of nicotine to her apartment, although it had remained unused. On September 29, 2023, a jury convicted Pursehouse of first-degree murder. On December 6, 2023, he was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/hollywood-marriage-and-sex-therapists-ex-boyfriend-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-her-death/ |title=Hollywood marriage and sex therapist's ex-boyfriend sentenced to life in prison for her death |website=cbsnews.com |date=December 6, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-06}} He was also ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution.{{Cite web |last=Silver |first=Lauren |date=6 December 2023 |title=Gareth Pursehouse sentenced for ex-girlfriend's murder |url=https://www.courttv.com/news/gareth-pursehouse-to-be-sentenced-for-ex-girlfriends-murder/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Court TV |language=en-US}}
Appearances
=Filmography=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| 2007
| listed Amie Nicole |
| 2016
| Noirland | Dr. Anouschka Berman | listed as Amie Nicole |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| 2011
| Mechanic's Girlfriend | Episode: "3" |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Amie Harwick}}
- {{IMDb name|1943215}}
- [https://amieharwickmemorial.com/ Amie Harwick Memorial]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harwick, Amie}}
Category:American murder victims
Category:People from Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Category:California State Polytechnic University, Pomona alumni
Category:Pepperdine University alumni
Category:Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality alumni