The former boyfriend of a Hollywood Hills family therapist has been arrested in connection with her death after she was found suffering from severe injuries Saturday at her home, the Los Angeles Police Department announced.
Gareth Pursehouse, 41, of Playa Del Rey, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the slaying of Amie Harwick, the LAPD said. Harwick was previously engaged to "The Price Is Right" host Drew Carey, TODAY reported.
Pursehouse, who was being held in lieu of $2 million bail, bonded out of jail Tuesday, according to the Sheriff's Inmate Information Center. An initial court appearance had not been scheduled, according to the jail records.
Police responded to reports of a woman screaming in the 2000 block of Mound Street around 1:16 a.m. early Saturday morning and were informed by the doctor's roommate that Harwick was being assaulted inside her home, police said.
Officers arrived to find Harwick on the ground beneath a third-story balcony, police said. She was in grave condition and was suffering from injuries consistent with a fall, the LAPD said.
Harwick was taken to a hospital and died from her injuries.
An investigation at the residence and the surrounding area revealed evidence of an intruder forcing entry in the residence, a struggle upstairs and a person leaving the property after the slaying, police said.
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A flower with a note was left outside the home Monday. The card read, "I love you my friend. I'll never forget you."
Harwick had a restraining order against Pursehouse, but it recently expired. She recently expressed her fear of her former boyfriend, the LAPD said.
Pursehouse was arrested around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday in the 8100 block of Carbona Drive in Playa Del Rey by members of an FBI-LAPD Fugitive Task Force.
Police said the investigation was ongoing. It was not immediately clear if Pursehouse had a lawyer.
On her website, Harwick is described as a marriage and family therapist with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Cal Poly Pomona east of Los Angeles and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University in Malibu. She is the author of 2014's 'The New Sex Bible for Women.'
In social media posts, she was remembered as a caring professional who empowered women.
Carey posted a video on Twitter with Harwick along with a message to his followers.
"The Price is Right" halted production this week and in an email, producer, Fremantle, said they are expected to resume production Feb. 23.
Anyone with information regarding suspicious activity related to this incident and/or prior relationship between Harwick and the suspect is encouraged to contact the LAPD-West Bureau Homicide at (213) 382-9470. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.
