One month after Whitney Purvis announced the death of her 16-year-old son Weston, the 16 & Pregnant alum is facing serious charges. TMZ was the first to report that Whitney was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter on Monday after a fatal overdose. The former reality star is being accused of intentionally distributing a drug that led to a man’s death.
According to an affidavit from the arrest that was obtained by People, Whitney allegedly “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.” Whitney has also been charged with distribution of a controlled substance and use of a communication device to commit a felony involving controlled substances.
The victim is a man named John Mark Harris.
In a statement to People that was released on Monday, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta Field Division Jae W. Chung confirmed that Whitney is currently under investigation.
“Today, DEA Atlanta and local law enforcement arrested Whitney Purvis in Floyd County, GA on charges of involuntary manslaughter due to fentanyl poisoning,” the statement read. “This investigation is ongoing.”
Hours later, it was revealed that Whitney commented on the victim’s obituary, which indicates that he died on February 17 and was 37 years old.
Whitney left a lengthy comment on the obituary page memorializing her friendship with John Mark back in March.
“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,” she wrote in part. “Thank you for being such a great friend to me and always making me feel beautiful and cared for.”
John Mark’s obituary describes him as someone who “had a way of caring for those who crossed his path.”
“He loved fiercely and would do anything he could for one of his friends,” his obituary read. “John Mark gave the best hugs and had the most infectious smile most had ever seen. He loved entertaining and the goal of his gatherings was to spend quality time and strengthening the relationships with his friends.”
The news comes just one month after Whitney shared that her son Weston had died.
“I will always cherish our memories together, the songs you use to love, your laugh, the phases you would go through, the little dolphin noise you use to do when you were younger, your smile, your jokes, the first day of school, playing with you, your first time swimming, making crafts, how you would dance in your crib to the law and order svu theme song, being a great big brother, the first time I held you and the last hug I gave you,” Whitney wrote in an Instagram post on June 3. “I love you, Weston more than words could ever describe. Rest in peace, my beautiful boy.”
