315 - Tighty Navies
The host and guest dive into a chilling true crime case from 2020 in Hollywood Hills, where Dr. Amy Hartwick, a successful therapist and former fire eater, was found dead on her balcony after a violent attack. The episode unfolds with chaotic energy, punctuated by the host’s signature humor and the real-time chaos of a leaking toilet and a barking dog. The central mystery centers on her ex-boyfriend, Gareth Pursehouse, who had a restraining order against him that expired just weeks before the murder. Surveillance footage reveals Gareth sneaking through multiple backyards four hours before the incident, wearing navy tighties and carrying a syringe filled with pure nicotine—lethal in small doses. The trial, delayed by COVID, concluded with a guilty verdict for first-degree murder with the 'lying in wait' special circumstance, resulting in life without parole. The prosecution argued he waited to kill her after reuniting at a porn industry awards show, where she had ignored him. The defense claimed he only wanted to talk and that her death was an accident, but the evidence—her defensive wounds, the syringe, and his obsessive behavior—overwhelmed the defense. The episode ends with a darkly comedic yet sobering reflection on how a restraining order’s expiration can leave victims vulnerable to predators who’ve spent years planning revenge.
Gareth Pursehouse was convicted of first-degree murder with 'lying in wait' special circumstance after sneaking into Amy Hartwick's home four hours before her death, using a syringe filled with pure nicotine.
Amy Hartwick had a restraining order against Gareth due to severe domestic violence, including a fractured eye socket, but the order expired in 2020, leaving her vulnerable.
The syringe found on the balcony contained pure nicotine—lethal in small doses—and was not urine or a drug, making it a precise, calculated weapon.
Gareth was seen on security footage hopping fences and covering cameras with gloves, indicating premeditation and surveillance of the property.
Amy documented the confrontation at the X-Biz Awards in an email to herself, describing Gareth as 'malicious,' 'highly intelligent,' and obsessed with harming her.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to the Chaos: Leaky Toilets and Salted Watermelon Whiskey
The episode opens with the hosts in full comedic mode, drinking salted watermelon old smoky whiskey, discussing a leaking toilet that ruined their recording setup, and joking about the desk smelling like 'rotten crotch.' They set the tone with absurd humor and real-life podcasting chaos.
The Real Story: A Murder in Hollywood Hills
The hosts transition into the true crime story, introducing Amy Hartwick, a 38-year-old therapist and former fire eater, who was found dead on her balcony after a violent attack. The narrative begins with the 911 call from her roommate, Michael Herman.
The Scene: Blood, Urine, and a Syringe
The police arrive to find Amy’s body on the concrete below the balcony, a pool of urine, a rumpled bed, and a syringe with a brown-yellow liquid. The roommate, Michael, is panicked but not a suspect. The syringe is later confirmed to contain pure nicotine.
The Ex-Boyfriend: Gareth Pursehouse and the Expiring Restraining Order
The hosts reveal Gareth Pursehouse, Amy’s ex-boyfriend with a restraining order from 2012 that expired in 2020. He was seen at the X-Biz Awards, where he had a public meltdown upon seeing her, confirming his obsession.
The Surveillance: Four Hours of Waiting
Security footage shows Gareth entering the neighborhood four hours before the murder, hopping fences and covering cameras with gloves. The timestamp of 8:53 p.m. becomes a key clue in the timeline.
“Let me tell you, you can eat a bag of motherfucking dicks. All the bags. Multiple bags.”
“The jury deliberated for two days and they come back with first degree murder by means of lying in wait.”
“So the syringe and they jab them and shoot it and they kill them. That's it. Wow. Easy peasy.”
Host
Guest
Amy Hartwick
person
Gareth Pursehouse
person
LAPD
organization
Michael Herman
person
Kelsey
person
X-Biz Awards
other
Drew Carey
person
Los Angeles County Jail
organization
Patreon
organization
Total Wine
organization
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