Whitney Purvis, who rose to fame as a young mom on MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, is living every parent’s worst nightmare — the sudden and devastating loss of her teenage son, Weston Gosa Jr.
The 33-year-old reality star took to Facebook on Monday, June 2, to share the gut-wrenching news that Weston, just 16 years old, had passed away. Her emotional post was accompanied by a series of photos capturing moments from her son’s life.
“This is so hard to write,” Whitney began. “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.”
She continued, “He was so perfect. This is really my worst nightmare come true. 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 again. Words just can’t describe the pain I am feeling.”
Cause of death
In a heartbreaking tribute, she added: “I love you so much, Weston Owen Gosa. 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.”
Whitney later posted a second photo of herself embracing Weston, writing, “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.”
The cause of Weston’s death has not been confirmed publicly, but his stepmother shared a few details on social media.
She revealed that Weston had several ongoing health problems, including diabetes, and that the family is awaiting the results of an autopsy.
“All we know is we got up this morning around 7 a.m. and tried to wake him up. He was not breathing,” she wrote. “We attempted CPR and called an ambulance. Paramedics tried as well and took him to the hospital in Gordon County, where he was pronounced dead.”
Featured on the first season
She described Weston as “brilliant, smart, funny” and full of potential. “It was so unexpected. Losing a child is the most painful thing I have ever experienced,” she added. “Please keep our family and Whitney in your prayers.”
Weston was born in 2009 and featured on the first season of 16 and Pregnant, when Whitney was just a teen herself. She and Weston’s father, Weston Sr., later had another son, River, in 2014. The pair eventually separated for good.
In recent years, Whitney faced personal struggles. In 2024, she was arrested for allegedly failing to pay child support, according to TMZ, and had lost custody of both of her sons.