This is the week that even more people in America are getting to know the sad and sordid saga of Whitney Purvis.
Sixteen years after Purvis first made a splash in the reality TV world as one of the first-season stars of MTV’s “16 and Pregnant,” she has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Feb. 17 drug overdose death of a friend from her hometown of Rome, Georgia. Purvis, 33, allegedly supplied John Mark Harris, 35, with “tranq” — an often-lethal mix of fentanyl and xylazine, People reported.
ROME, GEORGIA – JULY 07: In this handout photo provided by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, former “16 & Pregnant” TV personality Whitney Purvis is seen in a police booking photo after being arrested for felony involuntary manslaughter involving a fatal overdose on July 7, 2025 in Rome, Georgia. (Photo by Floyd County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images)
Purvis’ arrest also comes a month after she publicly feuded with her ex-boyfriend over her complaints about missing the funeral of their 16-year-old son, Weston Gosa Jr., whose birth was featured on the show. While Weston’s death was said to be from natural causes — he reportedly struggled with diabetes and chronic illnesses — the same can’t be said for Harris. The felony charges against Purvis say she applied her friend with controlled substances that “directly contributed in (his) death due to a toxic overdose,” People reported.
Since Purvis’ arrest, it’s also come to light that she missed Harris’ funeral as well, though she posted a lengthy message in response to his obituary, saying on March 3 that she had just found out about his death but wanted let everyone know that she regarded him as a “great friend.”
“Mark, hate that I found out what happened today and missed your funeral,” Purvis wrote on March 3. “Thank you for being such a great friend to me and always making me feel beautiful and cared for.”
Purvis also wrote how Harris came to her “rescue on many occasions” and “saved” her over the years. She said they bonded over being chefs, a love for cooking and personal struggles.
“I could tell you anything and you always knew what to say or give me your honest opinion and advice,” Purvis continued. “I am so very thankful for the times we had together. My brain just can’t process this happened. I don’t want it to be true.”
“I’ll miss your amazing cooking,” she said. “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. Most of all, I’ll miss you, a truly good hearted & one-of-a-kind man, John Mark. I’ll never forget you.”
TMZ reported Monday that the case against Purvis is part of a larger crackdown by the Drug Enforcement Administration on fentanyl-related deaths, with the DEA nothing that nearly 70% of all drug fatalities in the U.S. currently involve synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
TMZ also reported Tuesday that Purvis is currently on suicide watch at the Floyd County Jail. Sources told TMZ that she’s been undergoing a detox program as she withdraws from whatever drugs she was using prior to her arrest.
No doubt, Purvis is dealing with a lot, but Harris’ mother expressed no sympathy.
“She did this, and as a result, my son is dead,” Lisa Harris told TMZ on Monday. Lisa added that she is “glad nobody else must go through this because of her actions.”
Lisa Harris also questioned Purvis presenting herself as such a close friend of her son’s. She said their family didn’t know Purvis, nor her connection to her son. Still, Lisa Harris said she has some sympathy for Purvis and the dire consequences she’s facing.
“The whole thing is so heartbreaking,” she said. “I feel sorry for her — not because she got arrested, but because her life got to a point of dealing drugs.”