The Untold Story of Eric Hartter: Eminem’s Daughter’s Real Dad

Have you ever heard of Eric Hartter? Most people haven’t — but his story is deeply connected to one of the world’s biggest music stars, Eminem. Eric Hartter was a tattoo artist, a father, and a man whose life took many sharp turns. He’s best known today as the biological father of Stevie Laine, who was once called Whitney Scott Mathers — Eminem’s adopted child.

But Eric’s life was more than just that one connection. It was full of talent, pain, missed chances, and love he didn’t get to fully share. In this article, we’ll walk through the real story of Eric Hartter — who he was, what happened in his life, how he became part of Eminem’s world, and why his name still matters today.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Eric Hartter Quick Bio

Who Was Eric Hartter?

Eric Hartter was born on January 22, 1979, in Roseville, Michigan, USA. He grew up in a normal American neighborhood and lived most of his life away from the spotlight. Eric wasn’t famous like Eminem, but people who knew him say he had real artistic talent.

He had brown hair, grey eyes, and stood about 5’8” tall. His mother’s name was Marie Mastrogiovanni Hartter, and she would later play an important role during the most difficult time of his life. Eric wasn’t a celebrity, but he became known after his connection to Eminem’s ex-wife and their daughter.

Even though his life was short — he died at just 40 years old — it had many big moments, some good and some very sad.

Eric Hartter’s Tattoo Life

Eric wasn’t just anyone — he was a tattoo artist, and a pretty good one too. People in the tattoo world said he had a real gift for art. He worked with needles that vibrate thousands of times a minute — and he made detailed and creative designs on people’s skin. It’s not an easy job. It takes time, focus, and passion. And Eric had that.

Being a tattoo artist also means building trust with people. You’re helping them create something they’ll carry for life. Eric had a group of loyal clients and people who respected his work. He was well-known in local circles, even though he wasn’t famous on a national level.

But behind his artistic hands was a man struggling with some personal demons — and those struggles would slowly pull him away from the career he once loved.

Eric and Kim Scott’s Short Love Story

In the early 2000s, Kim Scott, the ex-wife of Eminem, broke up with the rapper and started seeing Eric Hartter. It was a short relationship, but it became one of the most talked-about parts of Eric’s life — because something very important came out of it.

Eric and Kim weren’t together for very long. But during that time, Kim became pregnant with a baby girl. Sadly, things between them didn’t last. Eric had legal troubles and wasn’t able to be with Kim when their baby was born. Not long after that, Kim and Eminem got back together.

This moment became a turning point. Eric’s child would soon grow up in a completely different world — not with him, but with one of the most famous rappers in the world.

A Baby Girl Named Whitney

In April 2002, Kim Scott gave birth to a daughter. Her name was Whitney Scott Mathers. She was Eric Hartter’s biological child, but he wasn’t there at the hospital. At the time, Eric had a warrant out for his arrest, and his life was filled with court dates and legal problems.

Kim didn’t allow him to see the baby, and shortly after the birth, she and Eminem tried to rebuild their relationship. They later got married again for a short time in 2006, though that also didn’t last.

Whitney was just a baby, but her life had already taken a complex turn. She was born to Eric and Kim — but raised in Eminem’s care.

Why Eminem Raised Eric Hartter’s Daughter

While Eric couldn’t be there for his daughter, Eminem stepped in. He legally adopted Whitney when she was just a toddler. To her, Eminem wasn’t just a famous figure — he was “Dad.” He raised her in a stable home, along with his other daughters, Hailie Jade (his biological daughter) and Alaina Marie (adopted daughter of Kim’s late sister).

Eminem protected all three of his daughters from media pressure. Even when his life was busy with music, fame, and personal struggles, he stayed close to his girls. He once said in an interview that being a dad was one of the biggest reasons he turned his life around after dealing with addiction.

Even though Eric Hartter was Whitney’s biological father, Eminem was the one who raised her, loved her, and supported her — every single day.

Eric Hartter’s Struggles with the Law

Sadly, Eric Hartter’s life took a darker turn. He had a long history of problems with the law. Over the years, he was arrested multiple times, mostly for drug possession, including fentanyl and methamphetamine. He also faced charges for stealing items from stores, like the time he took $200 worth of Red Bull from a CVS.

In 2019, Eric pleaded guilty to being a prisoner caught with contraband. Even though he was already in jail at the time, his record kept getting longer. These legal issues made it nearly impossible for him to be part of his daughter’s life.

It’s a sad part of the story. Eric had talent, but his problems kept pulling him down. And just when it seemed like things might turn around — everything ended far too soon.

What Happened to Eric Hartter?

In August 2019, something very sad happened. Eric Hartter was found dead inside an abandoned house in Detroit. He was just 40 years old. A family member had gone there to check on him and found him unresponsive. The police said there were no signs of injury, but Eric had already passed away before help arrived.

Later reports said it was likely a drug overdose. His body had traces of fentanyl and cocaine in it. He had struggled with addiction for many years, and this time, it became too much for him to handle. His death was heartbreaking, especially for the people who still cared about him.

Eric’s mother, Marie, was left to deal with everything. She even started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his funeral costs. Many people didn’t know him, but those who did said he had talent, kindness, and a lot of pain inside.

Stevie Laine’s Emotional Journey

At the time of Eric’s death, his daughter Stevie (known then as Whitney) didn’t know the full truth. Stevie always believed that Eminem was her real dad. But after Eric died, Stevie found out about him through a news article that someone sent her.

The discovery was shocking. In a TikTok video, Stevie shared their feelings about finding out that Eric Hartter was their biological father — and that he had died before they ever got to meet. The video was honest and emotional. It showed a young person dealing with something very personal and very painful.

Stevie later came out as non-binary and changed their name to Stevie Laine. They shared their identity online and started using they/she/he pronouns. Stevie’s honesty inspired many young people going through similar experiences.

Eminem as a Proud Dad

Through everything, Eminem stayed by Stevie’s side. He had been there since Stevie was just a baby. Even after learning the truth about Eric Hartter, Stevie still called Eminem “Dad.” Because, in every way that truly matters, he was.

Eminem has always been a private father, but people close to him say he deeply loves all three of his daughters — Hailie, Alaina, and Stevie. He raised them during some of the hardest years of his life. At one point, he even said that being a dad helped him beat drug addiction and find peace.

Today, Eminem continues to support his children. He may be a rap legend to the world, but to his daughters, he’s simply “Dad.”

How Family and Friends Remember Eric

Even though Eric Hartter had many struggles, he wasn’t forgotten. After his death, people close to him shared memories online. One of them was his former partner, Sarah Hubbard, who had children with Eric too. In a Facebook post, she called him her “best friend” and said he had a big heart.

She knew about his mistakes — but she also knew about his kind side. She said he battled a lot of inner pain, but he was a good person at heart. These words remind us that people are not only their worst moments. Eric was more than the troubles he faced.

His mother, Marie, tried to give him a proper goodbye, even though money was tight. She asked for help from the public to give her son a decent burial. Many strangers gave donations — a simple but powerful act of kindness.

Stevie Laine Today

Today, Stevie Laine is a young adult living in their truth. They are active on social media, using platforms like TikTok and Twitch to share their thoughts and creativity. Their username online is @st0nedc0w — a fun and unique name that shows their playful side.

Stevie often talks about identity, emotions, and growth. They share old photos, new looks, and stories about becoming who they are. They also talk about being non-binary, using different pronouns, and how it feels to grow up in a famous family.

Despite all the confusion about their past, Stevie has stayed strong. They’ve made a path of their own and continue to inspire others who are finding their voice.

Final Thoughts

The story of Eric Hartter is both sad and meaningful. He was a talented tattoo artist, a father who missed out on raising his child, and a man who faced many battles he couldn’t win. But he was also someone who mattered — to his family, to his friends, and to his daughter, even if she never met him.

His life shows how quickly things can change. One wrong turn can lead to years of struggle. But it also shows the power of love — like how Eminem stepped in to raise a child who wasn’t his by blood, but fully his by heart.

Today, Stevie Laine is living proof that love, support, and truth can help a person grow — even when the past is painful. And in the end, Eric Hartter’s story is not just about what went wrong — but also about what can still go right.

(FAQs)

How is Eric Hartter connected to Eminem?

Eric Hartter is the biological father of Eminem’s adopted daughter, Stevie Laine (born Whitney Scott). Eminem adopted her and raised her as his own.

Is Eric Hartter still alive?

No. Eric Hartter died in 2019 from a suspected drug overdose. His body was found in an abandoned house in Detroit.

Did Eric Hartter and Kim Scott stay together?

No. Their relationship was short and troubled. Kim became pregnant with Stevie, but Eric was not allowed to be part of the child’s life due to legal issues.

Where was Eric Hartter from?

Eric Hartter was from Roseville, Michigan, USA, and spent much of his life in and around Detroit, where he also passed away.

What did Eric Hartter’s obituary reveal?

His obituary confirmed his tragic death at age 40 and mentioned a GoFundMe campaign by his mother to help pay for funeral costs — a sad ending for someone once full of talent.