MTV star charged in friend's fatal overdose released from jail after being granted $15K bond

Daily Mail​

5 days ago

Whitney Purvis has been released from custody and has returned home after she was charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Purvis, 33, who appeared on the MTV reality show 16 and Pregnant, was arrested earlier this month in connection with the fatal February 17 drug overdose of her friend John Mark Harris at 37.
Authorities said she provided him with the narcotics that led to his tragic end.
The television personality was granted a bond of $15,000 by a Georgia court last Thursday, with conditions including sobriety and a curfew.
At that time, it was not immediately clear if Purvis would be able to make bond, insiders told TMZ, which first reported the news.
Now, however, it has emerged that she left jail this Monday after a judge amended the agreement to stipulate that she could go home once she had been in Floyd County Correctional Institution for 14 days, according to People.
She must abide by all the other conditions previously set, including that she keep a 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. curfew; stay at a residence in Bartow County, Georgia named by the court; and refrain from consuming drugs or alcohol.
Purvis is not permitted, under her terms of release, to initiate contact with any members of the family of the victim, according to court documents reviewed by TMZ.
Purvis on March 3 took to the site of the funeral home which handled arrangements for John Mark Harris, and penned a memorial in his honor.
'John mark, I hate that I found out what happened today and missed your funeral,' Purvis wrote on the Henderson & Sons Funeral Home site.
She continued: 'I wish I could've found out sooner and attended your celebration of life.'
The MTV star posted the message more than three months before she was arrested Monday in Floyd County, Georgia in connection with with involuntary manslaughter and distribution of a controlled substance, among other felony counts, TMZ reported July 7.
Purvis 'distributed a substance presented as "Tranq," commonly known as Xylazine and Fentanyl, to the victim, which directly contributed in the victim's death due to a toxic overdose,' law enforcement officials said in an arrest affidavit reviewed by People.
It's been an awful year for Purvis, who would later pen an emotional memorial for her son Weston following his death at the age of 16 on June 2; Daily Mail has reached out to Purvis via Instagram for further comment on this story.
Purvis thanked her late confidante 'for being such a great friend to me and always making me feel beautiful and cared for.'
Purvis said that her late friend had been a dear one, as they grew close over their passion for cooking: 'We bonded over being chefs, our love of cooking and our struggle.'
Harris had been employed as a chef at Barnsley Gardens, a popular North Georgia resort.
She praised Harris for his candor and intelligence in their interactions over the years.
'I could tell you anything and you always knew what to say or give me your honest opinion and advice,' Purvis said.
The MTV alum added '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 - who's also charged with use of a communication device to commit a felony involving controlled substances - said that she was dealing with serious emotional trauma over the loss of her friend.
'My brain just can't process this happened,' she said. 'I don't want it to be true.'
Purvis listed off a number of things she associated with Harris that she would miss in the wake of his passing.
'I'll miss waking up to your silly messages and pictures you'd send me,' she said. 'I'll miss marshal and lunchbox. I'll miss your amazing cooking.
'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.'
Purvis characterized her late friend as 'a truly good hearted, one of a kind man' who she would 'never forget.'
Purvis, who has more than 17,800 followers on Instagram, wrapped up in saying: '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.'
Following the death of her son last month, Purvis spoke on social media about how she was understandably struggling in the wake of her child's unexpected passing.
'This is so hard to write,' Purvis said. 'My beautiful son, Weston has passed away. He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just dont 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?'
Purvis said she was 'in disbelief,' thinking that 'this cannot be happening' and that she didn't 'want it to be real.'
She added of her late son: 'I love you so much, Weston Owen Gosa. I would do anything just to hold him. Words just can't describe the pain I am feeling.
'God, I love you so much. You are my heart. I was so proud of the young man you were becoming. I just can't go on without you.
Rest in Peace, my angel. You are gone too soon. April 2, 2009 - June 2, 2025.'