Whitney Purvis Mourns the Loss of Her 16-Year-Old Son Weston: “My Worst Nightmare Come True”
Whitney Purvis, known to many from MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, is facing an unimaginable tragedy. On June 2, she shared heartbreaking news on social media: her 16-year-old son, Weston Owen Gosa Jr., had passed away.
In a deeply emotional Facebook post, Purvis wrote about the overwhelming pain of losing her child, expressing disbelief and sorrow. Alongside photos of Weston—some with his mother—she shared, “This is so hard to write. My beautiful son, Weston has passed away. He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just don’t understand. Oh my baby is gone and I don’t know what to do with myself.”
Her words, raw with grief, reflected the depth of her love for Weston and the profound shock of his sudden death. “He was so perfect. This is my worst nightmare come true,” she continued. “How do you go on in life after losing a child? I’m in disbelief, this cannot be happening. I don’t want it to be real. I would do anything just to hold him. Words just can’t describe the pain I am feeling.”
Purvis, who gave birth to Weston on April 2, 2009, during her appearance on the first season of 16 and Pregnant, added: “I love you so much, Weston Owen Gosa. 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.”
Later that day, she posted a second tribute—a photograph of the two embracing, smiling warmly at the camera. The caption read, “Rest in Peace, my baby Weston. I love you forever, precious. I’ll never understand why life has to be so cruel. You’ll always be my baby.”
At this time, the cause of Weston’s death has not been publicly confirmed. However, in a separate Facebook post, Weston’s stepmother, Amy, shared more details about the heartbreaking morning.
“All we know is we got up this morning around 7 am and tried to wake him up, he was not breathing,” Amy wrote. “We attempted CPR and called an ambulance. The paramedics tried as well and took him to the hospital in Gordon County, where he was pronounced dead.”
She added that Weston had been dealing with several health conditions, including diabetes, and that his passing was entirely unexpected. “We are completely heartbroken and in shock,” she wrote. “Losing a child is the most painful thing I have ever experienced, and I hope I never experience it again.”
Amy described Weston as a gifted and loving son. “He was brilliant, smart, funny, and had so much potential in life. It doesn’t feel real. Please keep our family and Whitney in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn such a brilliant, amazing life that was our son. Thank you.”
A Family’s Journey Through the Years
Whitney Purvis gave birth to Weston at the age of 17 while starring in MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, a show that brought national attention to the challenges of teen parenthood. Weston’s father, Weston Gosa Sr., also appeared in the episode. Although the young couple faced many struggles, including breakups and reconciliations, they eventually had a second child, a son named River, in 2014.
After River’s birth, however, their relationship ended permanently, and Whitney eventually lost custody of both children. According to court records, she was arrested in 2024 for allegedly failing to make child support payments.
Despite these challenges, Whitney’s love for her children remained strong. Her posts about Weston show a mother whose grief is matched only by the love she felt for her son and the pride she had in the person he was becoming.
Remembering Weston
Friends and loved ones of the family have begun to offer condolences and support on social media, remembering Weston for his bright personality, humor, and intelligence. Those who knew him recall a young man full of potential, someone who brought joy to those around him.
“Weston was such a sweet kid,” one friend of the family shared online. “It’s heartbreaking to hear he’s gone. Praying for Whitney and the entire family.”
Another added, “He always had a smile on his face and was polite and kind to everyone he met. This is such a loss.”
Whitney’s posts have been met with thousands of messages offering comfort, prayers, and shared sorrow. For many, the story of a young mother and her son, first introduced over a decade ago through a reality television screen, now feels deeply personal.
Health Issues and the Need for Awareness
While the exact medical cause of Weston’s death remains unknown pending the autopsy, his stepmother’s reference to existing health issues—including diabetes—highlights the importance of awareness around chronic conditions in adolescents. Diabetes, particularly Type 1, can carry serious complications if not closely managed, and the unpredictability of such conditions can be devastating for families.
In moments like these, the medical aspect becomes just one piece of a much larger emotional and human tragedy. A family has lost a son. A mother is mourning a child she raised from her teenage years into young adulthood. And a community—both online and offline—is grieving with them.
A Call for Compassion
Whitney’s experience is a poignant reminder of how fragile life can be and how deeply parents love their children, no matter what obstacles life throws their way. In her words, “I just can’t go on without you,” the profound devastation of losing a child is laid bare.
As public figures, those who’ve appeared on reality shows like 16 and Pregnant often face scrutiny, but in this moment, Whitney’s story is not about fame. It is about loss, love, and the complex journey of motherhood that she shared with millions, now taking a turn no parent ever wants to face.
Moving Forward with Grief
Grief is not something that fades quickly, especially after losing a child. There is no script, no guidebook. For Whitney and her family, the road ahead will be marked by sorrow and, hopefully, by the support of those who care.
As tributes to Weston continue to pour in, one thing is clear: he was loved. Deeply. Fiercely. Endlessly.
And though his time on Earth was far too short, the memories he leaves behind—and the love his mother, family, and friends hold in their hearts—will endure.
