Overview

• On July 7, Floyd County deputies arrested Whitney Purvis, charging her with felony involuntary manslaughter over the February overdose death of chef John Mark Harris.
• Court documents also cite distribution of a controlled substance and use of a communication device to facilitate a drug felony among her charges.
• Investigators allege Purvis supplied Harris with Tranq, a lethal combination of fentanyl and veterinary tranquilizer xylazine linked to rising overdose fatalities.
• The arrest comes five weeks after the June 2 death of her 16-year-old son, Weston, and follows previous arrests for shoplifting and contempt of court.
• Lisa Harris, the victim’s mother, said she was relieved that Purvis is detained while authorities continue probing her alleged drug distribution network.