EXCLUSIVE Family of man who 'overdosed on drugs supplied by' 16 & Pregnant star Whitney Purvis issues heartbreaking statement
Purvis, 33, was taken into custody in Floyd County, Georgia, on June 7 and charged with felony involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of John Mark Harris, 37, who suffered a fatal overdose in February. She was also charged with two counts related to disturbing controlled substances.
Authorities have accused Purvis of distributing 'Tranq', a combination of fentanyl and xylazine, that was allegedly taken by Harris before his death, arrest documents show.
Purvis remains held without bond. Law enforcement sources told TMZ on Tuesday that she has been placed on suicide watch after voicing intentions to harm herself and is also undergoing detox from drug use
In a statement to DailyMail.com, the Harris family thanked the detectives who snared Purvis and detailed their heartache over their son's death.
'We want to express our appreciation to all those members of law enforcement who have participated in the investigation of the case involving our beloved son, John Mark Harris, which resulted in this arrest,' wrote the family.
'As a family, our grief and our loss is beyond measure. We take this moment to thank all of our friends for their prayers and expressions of support. Thank you.'
Purvis has not yet entered a plea. Messages seeking comment sent to her family have so far gone unanswered.
Her attorney, Brian McWhorter, declined to comment.
On Tuesday, DailyMail.com revealed that, back in March, Purvis had penned a lengthy and emotional tribute to Harris on a memorial page set up by his family.
In her message, dated March 3, Purvis wrote: '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 went on to thank Harris for 'being such a great friend to me and always making me feel beautiful and cared for,' adding that they bonded over a passion for cooking and their shared but unspecified struggles.
Before his death, Harris was employed as a chef at Barnsley Gardens, which is a popular resort in North Georgia.
A lawyer for the Harris family declined to comment on the nature of his relationship with Purvis or confirm how the pair first met.
'The family will make no other statement at this time,' said Bob Finnell.
In her tribute to Harris, Purvis praised his candor and intelligence and reminisced about their time spent 'snuggling' on a couch together.
'I could tell you anything and you always knew what to say or give me your honest opinion and advice,' Purvis said.
'You've came to my rescue on many occasions and saved me over the years. I am so very thankful for the times we had together.'
Purvis added: 'My brain just can't process this happened. I don't want it to be true.
'I'll miss snuggling on the couch watching tv with you. I'll miss sitting outside, smoking camel crush cigs w/ you how we talked about talked about life, gossiping and you telling me what movies/shows I need to watch next.'
The tribute ended with the MTV alum sharing her condolences to Harris' family and friends.
Purvis' arrest on Monday came just one month after the death of her 16-year-old son, Weston Jr, who passed suddenly on June 2.
A cause of death for the boy was not disclosed, but the family shared Weston suffered from multiple health issues, including diabetes.
The teen was discovered unresponsive in his bed. The family and paramedics attempted CPR, but tragically he could not be revived.
'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,' Purvis wrote
Surveillance footage from his father's home showed the boy getting up repeatedly during the night prior and struggling to sleep, the family told PEOPLE.
Purvis, who has two other children, shared in a statement on Facebook at the time that she was struggling to come to terms with the loss of her son.
'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,' she said.
Weston was born in April 2009 during the first season of MTV's 16 and Pregnant, to Purvis' then-boyfriend, Weston Lewis Gosa Sr.
While the show ultimately spawned MTV's Teen Mom franchise, Purvis was one of just two moms not picked to appear in that show, along with Ebony Jackson.
Purvis gave birth to her second son, River, in 2014, just before she and Gosa Sr. separated.
She later lost custody of both sons, and she was arrested last year for failing to make child support payments.
Purvis has been arrested on numerous other occasions. In 2015, she landed in jail after allegedly attacking Gosa Sr. with a broom handle. She later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour battery charge.
In a post on June 23, Purvis revealed that she also recently lost her grandmother, Ivy 'Celia' Burkhalter, who was featured prominently in Purvis' episode of 16 and Pregnant.
An online obituary for Burkhalter says she died on October 21, 2024, aged 71.
'Losing both of you within 6 months of each other feels like torture,' Purvis wrote in her post.
'When my memaw passed life just felt like something is always missing. She raised me so it was like losing my mom. I eventually found peace with it in a sense that she isn't suffering any more. When my son passed life felt like time stood still.'
'I have two more sons that still need me. As much I feel life has no purpose now, I have to find the courage to get out of bed and face another day for them which is challenging.
'I hope with time it gets easier, but for now I'm just existing for them and not for myself.'
A court date for Purvis has not yet been set.
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