Eminem Stalker Convicted After Second Home Invasion
Eminem’s stalker was found guilty of first-degree home invasion and aggravated stalking after breaking into the rapper’s home outside of Detroit for a second time last summer, The Detroit News reports.
Matthew David Hughes, 32, was convicted earlier this week after a short trial that began Tuesday (May 6) and ended the following day. Eminem and his security chief testified during the trial, and the jury returned the guilty verdict after about 90 minutes of deliberation. Hughes will be sentenced on June 17.
Don’t stalk Slim—stream him. Catch Stan and more on 92.5 The Beat.
A Pattern of Obsession
Hughes has a history of stalking Eminem, returning to 2019 when he broke into one of the rapper’s former homes looking for him. He was convicted of breaking and sentenced to 90 days in prison.
According to authorities, Eminem’s security team spotted Hughes near the artist’s home at about 7 a.m. on Aug. 26, 2024. Hughes had apparently entered the property through an unlocked door and fled with a stolen bike, likely after realizing he’d been spotted. A few days later, he was apprehended after one of Eminem’s employees saw him while shopping at Walmart. Police believe Hughes was homeless at the time and living in the woods nearby.
RELATED: Eminem Applauds Redman’s Comeback: “Been Waiting for This”
Second Break-In and Escalation
Hughes had pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His public defender called the case circumstantial, citing no direct evidence such as DNA or fingerprints. The following year, Hughes successfully broke into Eminem’s actual home, with the rapper claiming he woke up to find Hughes in his bedroom and that Hughes threatened to kill him. Hughes pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years probation, though a violation in an unrelated assault landed him back in prison. He was released on parole in May 2024.
Increased Security Measures
Prosecutor Seven Fox said that, like the 2020 incident, Eminem was sleeping when Hughes broke into his property early one morning last August. This time, however, Hughes did not make it to the rapper’s bedroom. Fox said that Eminem has taken to sleeping in a padlocked room in a secluded part of his home because of the past incidents with Hughes.
“Marshall Mathers has taken extraordinary steps to protect himself and his family,” Fox said. “Security 24/7. And each time that step has had to increase, but only as the result of one person’s actions, Matthew Hughes. The world becomes smaller. He’s on an island.”
Read more about Eminem’s stalker conviction on The Guardian.
