Eric Hartter Was Eminem's Adopted Daughter Stevie's Biological Dad: What We Know About Him

Long-time rapper Eminem is known for fiercely protecting his children from the limelight. However, his children are now grown up and have an active social media presence. Among them is non-binary Stevie Laine Mathers, who recently discovered they were adopted.

In 2022, Stevie Laine took to social media to express their frustrations about what seemed to be disheartening news for them. The 20-year-old revealed on TikTok that they received an article where they learned that their biological father, Eric Hartter, whom they'd never met, had died.

Through captions on the video, Stevie Laine recounted their conversation with their adoptive father, rapper Eminem, who insisted that he was their real dad. However, Stevie Laine's grandmother later confirmed that the article they received reported the truth; that she was indeed adopted.

Toward the end of the video, Stevie Laine mouthed the lyrics of an "Adventure Time" soundtrack sung by one of the animated show's main characters, Marceline, who sang about being a confused little girl living in the wreckage of the world.

Eminem took Stevie Laine under his care in 2005 after reconciling with their mother, Kim Scott. The following year, they married, but their union only a few months as they separated in April 2006. Not much is known about Eric Hartter, but there are a few available details about him, his death, and his family.

Who Was Eric Hartter?

Famous artist Eminem married Kim Scott in 1999; however, the couple divorced only two years later. Following that separation, Scott began seeing Eric Hartter. Hartter was a professional tattoo artist who reportedly battled drug addiction.

Hartter and Scott reportedly had a strained relationship as the late tattoo artist was not present during the birth of his child. Hartter was wanted by the authorities, who suspected he was involved in drug distribution.

Scott named Stevie Laine Whitney before the 20-year-old changed it to affirm their identity. When Hartter and Scott ended their relationship, Scott returned to Eminem, and the former lovers reconciled. Although Eminem and Stevie Laine's mother divorced for a second time, the rapper continued to father Stevie Laine.

Hartter may not have been part of Stevie Laine's life, but he was survived by the mother of his other children, Sarah Hubbard. Speaking in the first person singular, Hubbard posted a Facebook tribute, expressing her grief over the loss of many people who meant everything to her, including Hartter.

For Hubbard, Hartter was an integral part of their family. She defended his name, saying that he may have "battled [with] demons" and made questionable choices, but the late tattoo artist still had many admirable traits. She described how much she loved the father of her kids and called him her "best friend."

Eric Hartter's Death

Eric Hartter had had a few run-ins with the law related to drugs. He was charged four times for drug possession, one felony contraband, and had served a few sentences. After serving his final ruling, the 40-year-old tragically passed on due to his reported battle with addiction in 2020.

Hartter's mother was checking out an abandoned house in Detroit, Michigan, when she found him unresponsive with no apparent signs of trauma. The cause of his death was attributed to traces of combined drugs in his blood which may have caused instant death, per the autopsy report obtained by the Daily Mail.

Eminem's Adopted Daughter Stevie Coming Out

Stevie Laine Mathers drew her first breath on April 16, 2002. The 20-year-old revealed her true identity to her followers on Instagram, coming out as genderfluid. They announced their new name, changing from Whitney, and their preferred pronouns were "they/she/he."

Stevie Laine also shared a TikTok slideshow, where they go by "st0nedc0w," that chronicled their transformation as they grew more comfortable with who they were. In the beginning, they had long hair and dressed conventionally, but as the video progresses, their style visibly becomes more quirky.

They began experimenting with their hair, cutting it shorter and dying it with different colors. Stevie Laine also got piercings and reinvented her clothing style. The video went viral, garnering a comment section full of supportive fans congratulating them for coming out.

Stevie Laine is also a Twitch streamer, going by "Stevie Online." They have two more sisters, Eminem's biological daughter Hailee Jade Mathers and another adoptive daughter, Alaine Marie Scott, born to Kim Scott's sister, Dawn. Eminem took Alaine Marie in as her mother struggled with substance abuse.

Although Hailee Jade initially lived lowkey, she is now an Instagram influencer with nearly 3 million followers. Last December, Alaine Marie became engaged to her lover Matt Moeller. The eldest of Eminem's daughters gushed about the good news on her Instagram account.

Stevie Laine's mother also battled addiction and depression and had a troubled childhood. She ran away from home at 13 years old after suffering claiming sexual abuse from her stepfather. Eminem's mother, Denise Nelson, took her under her care in their trailer.

Scott's sister Dawn passed on due to an overdose. For Eminem, it was important for all his daughters to understand that their mothers needed help because they were sick. He never wanted them to think their mothers were absent because of their existence.

Despite Stevie Laine's discovery earlier this year about Eminem not being her real dad, "The Real Slim Shady" artist once spoke fondly of his daughter. He described her as the sweetest and funniest person.