16 and Pregnant alum Whitney Purvis appeared to leave a lengthy tribute on a man’s obituary after she allegedly supplied him with a lethal amount of drugs.
“John Mark, I hate that I found out what happened today and missed your funeral. I wish I could’ve found out sooner and attended your celebration of life,” Purvis, 33, wrote via an online obituary on March 3. “Thank you for being such a great friend to me and always making me feel beautiful and cared for. You’ve came to my rescue on many occasions and saved me over the years. We bonded over being chefs, our love of cooking and our struggles. I could tell you anything and you always knew what to say or give me your honest opinion and advice.”
The tribute came to light after Purvis was arrested in Georgia on Monday, July 7, for involuntary manslaughter.
According to police records viewed by Us Weekly, the former reality star faces two additional charges, including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. No bond was set at the time of publication. (Us Weekly has reached out to Purvis for comment. She did not have an attorney listed at time of publication.)
TMZ reported that the involuntary manslaughter charge is related to allegedly distributing a drug called tranq, a mix of fentanyl and xylazine. Tranq allegedly caused the victim — John Mark Harris — to suffer a toxic and ultimately deadly overdose.
In her tribute to Harris, Purvis wrote about being “thankful” for the times they had together. She also said her brain “can’t process” what happened.
Whitney Purvis Courtesy of Whitney Purvis
“I don’t want it to be true,” she wrote. “I’ll miss sitting outside, smoking camel crush cigs w/ you … Most of all, I’ll miss you, a truly good hearted & one of a kind man, John Mark. I’ll never forget you. Rest in peace and my condolences to your family and friends. I pray they are able to find some kind of comfort during this tragic time. I love you forever, John Mark. Love, Whitney.”
Purvis appeared on the first season of MTV’s 16 and Pregnant and allowed cameras to document the birth of her son Weston in April 2009 with ex Weston Gosa Sr.
Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant fans have mourned the death of some of the franchise’s stars over the years. In 2008, Farrah Abraham’s former boyfriend Derek Underwood died months before she gave birth to their daughter, Sophia. Underwood never appeared on screen during Abraham’s 16 and Pregnant episode, which aired in 2009, since the […]
In June, Purvis announced that her 16-year-old son had died unexpectedly. Weston Sr. later confirmed to TMZ that his son’s cause of death was ruled as “natural causes.” .
“Life is so cruel and unfair,” Purvis wrote via Facebook at the time of her son’s death. “I just don’t understand. Oh my baby is gone and I don’t know what to do with myself. He was so perfect. This is really my worst nightmare come true. How do you go on in life after losing a child? I’m in disbelief, this cannot be happening. I don’t want it to be real. I would do anything just to hold him. Words just can’t describe the pain I am feeling.”
Purvis, who also welcomed son River with Weston Sr. in 2014, later lost custody of both of her sons, with TMZ reporting last year that she was arrested for allegedly failing to make child support payments.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
