Eric Hartter: The Unseen Life Behind the Headlines
Eric Hartter is a name that may not resonate with everyone, but his story is intertwined with the lives of well-known figures in the entertainment world, most notably Kim Scott and Eminem. While not in the spotlight, Eric’s life sheds light on the complexities of human struggles with addiction, relationships, and fatherhood. This article delves into his journey, his connection with Kim Scott and Eminem, and the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.
Early Life and Career
Eric Hartter was born in 1980 and became a professional tattoo artist. His work gained him some recognition within the tattoo community, but his life took a darker turn due to his struggles with substance abuse. While details about his early life remain scarce, it is known that he had a passion for his craft. Unfortunately, his career as a tattoo artist began to deteriorate as his drug habits intensified. His talents were overshadowed by his increasing involvement in criminal activities related to drug possession, which contributed to his downfall.
Eric Hartter and Kim Scott: A Brief Relationship
Eric Hartter became widely known due to his relationship with Kimberly Anne Scott, Eminem’s ex-wife. Kim Scott and Eric Hartter’s relationship began after Kim’s separation from Eminem in the early 2000s. This brief relationship led to the birth of their daughter, Whitney Scott (now known as Stevie Laine Scott), on April 16, 2002. However, their relationship was short-lived, and Hartter’s legal troubles further complicated his ability to be involved in his daughter’s life.
Hartter was often in trouble with the law, and at the time of Whitney’s birth, he was reportedly on the run from the police due to various drug-related charges. This legal turmoil meant that Eric was unable to be present at the hospital for his daughter’s birth, marking the beginning of his absence in Whitney’s life.
Eric Hartter and Eminem: An Indirect Connection
Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has been a prominent figure in Hartter’s daughter’s life. After Whitney’s birth and Eric’s continued absence, Eminem stepped in to legally adopt her in 2005 after he had rekindled his relationship with Kim Scott. While Eminem and Kim’s on-and-off relationship was well-documented in the media, Hartter’s involvement remained largely unknown to the public until much later.
Whitney, who later changed her name to Stevie Laine Scott, believed Eminem was her biological father. It wasn’t until much later, after Eric Hartter’s death, that Stevie learned the truth about her biological father. Despite Eric’s limited involvement in Stevie’s life, his connection to the Mathers family became a point of interest for fans and media alike.
Legal Troubles and Struggles with Addiction
A series of legal issues marked Eric Hartter’s life and struggles with drug addiction. His run-ins with the law were frequent, and by the end of his life, he had been arrested multiple times for drug-related offenses. In December 2018, Eric Hartter was arrested alongside two accomplices for stealing about $200 worth of Red Bull from a CVS store. This incident was a reflection of the downward spiral his life had taken due to substance abuse.
Hartter’s struggles with addiction only worsened as time went on. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl and later pleaded guilty in March 2019. By July of that year, he had been sentenced to 153 days in jail and 24 months of probation. His addiction to hard drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine, eventually led to his untimely death.
Eric Hartter Obituary: A Tragic End
On August 22, 2019, Eric Hartter was found dead in an abandoned house in Detroit, Michigan. His body was discovered by his mother, Marie Hartter, in a tragic scene that reflected the isolation and hardship of his final years. The official cause of death was determined to be a drug overdose, precisely a combination of cocaine and fentanyl. This tragic end to Eric’s life underscored the severe impact that addiction had on him, both personally and professionally.
Despite his absence in the life of his daughter, Stevie, Eric Hartter’s death left a mark on his family. It wasn’t until after his death that Stevie learned about her biological father, and she later shared her thoughts on social media, expressing the complexity of her emotions upon learning the truth.
Eric Hartter’s Legacy: A Life of Missed Opportunities
Eric Hartter’s life was one of missed opportunities. While he showed talent and potential as a tattoo artist, his involvement in drugs and criminal activities prevented him from fully realizing his abilities. His relationship with Kim Scott and his indirect connection to Eminem brought his name into the public sphere, but it was his struggles with addiction that ultimately defined his life.
The story of Eric Hartter serves as a reminder of the destructive power of addiction and the way it can unravel the lives of even the most talented individuals. His inability to maintain a relationship with his daughter, coupled with his legal troubles, paints a picture of a man who was consumed by his inner demons.
Eric Hartter’s Relationship with Stevie Laine Scott
One of Eric Hartter’s most poignant aspects was his relationship, or lack thereof, with his daughter, Stevie. Born Whitney Scott, Eminem raised Stevie and believed he was her biological father. Eric Hartter, due to his legal problems and addiction, never had the opportunity to build a relationship with his daughter.
It was only after Hartter’s death that Stevie learned about her biological father, a revelation that reportedly came as a shock. Despite knowing the truth, Stevie has expressed gratitude for Eminem’s role in her life and continues to view him as her true father. The complexities of this relationship reflect the challenges faced by children growing up with absentee parents and the role that addiction can play in fracturing family bonds.
Conclusion: The Tragic Life of Eric Hartter
Eric Hartter’s life, while not widely publicized during his time, offers important lessons about the dangers of addiction and the far-reaching effects it can have on personal relationships and one’s career. His brief relationship with Kim Scott and his role as the biological father of Stevie Laine Scott connected him to one of the most famous families in the entertainment world. Still, his struggles prevented him from meaningfully being a part of their lives.
Ultimately, Eric Hartter’s story is one of lost potential and a life cut short by the grip of addiction. His tragic death in 2019 serves as a sad reminder of the impact that substance abuse can have, not only on the individual but on the people around them.
