Shivangi Sinha
Discovery+’s ‘Hollywood Demons: Stalking the Stars’ delves into some of the most notorious celebrity stalking cases and sheds light on the disturbing and dangerous behavior of obsessive individuals. One such case was that of Taylor Swift, who became the target of Eric Swarbrick, a man who began sending her threatening letters and unwanted communication. His obsession escalated as he relentlessly pursued the pop star, and this led to major security concerns. The case highlighted the intense vulnerability celebrities face from stalkers and demonstrated the lengths some individuals would go to in order to create a personal connection with those they idolize, often with dangerous consequences.
Eric Swarbrick Threatened to Harm Taylor Swift in His Letters
Eric Swarbrick was born and raised in Austin, Texas. His younger brother, Michael Swarbrick, described him as a sociable and well-liked individual with no apparent issues growing up. Eric excelled academically, but things began to change when he entered college. He became increasingly reclusive, exhibited unpredictable mood swings, and allegedly spoke in a way that suggested he was detached from reality. In January 2018, Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) in Nashville, Tennessee, received a letter from him. In it, he expressed a desire for CEO Scott Borchetta to introduce him to pop singer Taylor Swift, who was a client of the label at the time.
Despite the initial lack of attention given to Eric’s letter, he continued writing to Big Machine Label Group. His letters became increasingly violent, with some containing fantasies about sexually assaulting the high-profile celebrity. In one letter, he even mentioned wandering around the company’s office. Over the course of just over seven months, Eric sent 40 letters and emails and personally visited the office three times to deliver them. On August 2, 2018, he attempted to enter the office again, but security guards recognized him and detained him. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department arrested him, and Swift was granted a restraining order against him.
After being released from custody, Eric continued his disturbing behavior and sent 13 more letters to the office. His letters were increasingly vivid, detailing his plans, and in one, he expressed a desire to commit suicide in front of the CEO. In late August 2018, he was taken into custody by the United States Marshals. In October 2019, Eric pleaded guilty to interstate stalking and sending interstate communications with the intent to threaten. His actions and persistent threats led to his legal conviction and the ultimate protection of those involved from his increasingly dangerous behavior.
Eric Swarbrick is Being Supervised by Law Enforcement Today
In 2020, Eric Swarbrick was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. As part of his sentence, he was also required to undergo psychiatric treatment. He would likely have been released by now, but remains under supervision. His brother reported that Eric had returned to Austin, Texas, where he regularly checks in with his parole officer. Since his release, Eric Swarbrick has kept a low profile and appears to be focusing on his mental health.
Read More: Dana Martin: Where is Justin Bieber’s Stalker Now?
