Former Marco Island resident and TV star Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman has had a lot of strife and tragedy in his life. Most recently, he lost a grandchild.
TMX reported that Gregory Zecca, the stepson of Chapman and son of his wife, Francie, accidentally shot and killed his 13-year-old step-grandson, Anthony, in “a freak accident” at their Naples apartment late July 19.
As of the morning of July 21, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed it was investigating a shooting death at an apartment on Sumter Grove Way shortly after 8 p.m. that night but has not yet confirmed if it involved Chapman’s family. No arrests have been made, according to Michelle Batten, a sheriff’s office spokesperson.
However, Chapman told TMZ through a representative, “We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible tragic accident and would ask for continued prayers as we grieve the loss of our beloved grandson, Anthony.”
Who is Dog the Bounty Hunter?
Chapman, 72, has entertained millions of his fans in various reality shows chronicling the life of a bounty hunter and his family. But first he was a felon himself.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Chapman escaped what he called an abusive household and ran away at the age of 15 to join the motorcycle gang Devils Diciples. In July 1977, Chapman was found guilty of the murder of a Texas man that he and three others had planned to rob. Chapman had been outside the man’s home at the time, but he had brought his own weapon and provided the shooter with cartridges. He served 18 months of a 5-year sentence before being paroled.
Chapman told Fox News in 2007 that while he was in prison, he tackled an inmate who was about to be shot for attempting to escape and the praise he received inspired him to become a bounty hunter.
Dog the Bounty Hunter’s career
Chapman’s new career got a worldwide boost when he apprehended Max Factor cosmetics heir Andrew Luster. who had fled the country during his trial for multiple rape charges. Chapman and his team, which included his son Leland, captured Luster in Mexico but they were all jailed. Once Chapman and his son were out, they jumped bail and returned to the U.S. where they were arrested just days before the statute of limitations. The charges were ultimately dropped after a media blitz,
After the high-profile Chapman was featured on the show “Take This Job,” A&E launched a reality series in 2004 about Chapman’s bounty hunting, which ran for eight seasons. It was temporarily halted in 2007 after the National Enquirer wrote about a phone call between Chapman and his son Tucker in which Chapman referred to Tucker’s girlfriend with the n-word and speaking against interracial marriages.
Chapman’s next reality series, “Dog and Beth: On the Hunt,” started at CMT in 2012.This one followed Chapman (his fifth wife) and Leland Chapman as they helped bail bond agencies around the country. It ran for three seasons.
In 2019, “Dog’s Most Wanted,” also starring Chapman and Beth, ran for one season. “Dog Unleashed” was intended to be the next show, but Chapman was sued in 2021 for $1.3 million because he reportedly possessed a Taser (a violation of his felony parole) and had made racist and homophobic comments while he was involved in the manhunt for Brian Laundrie after the murder of Gabby Pelito, according to the New York Times. The show didn’t happen.
Chapman has had 13 children from four of his wives and one former girlfriend. He has been married six times, most recently to Francine Frane, whom he reportedly met six months after his previous wife, Beth, died from throat cancer. Francine has also lost a spouse to cancer.
“God brought us together at a time when we were at the most broken place that we both of us have been through in our lives,” Chapman said. “God really changed our hearts and brought us together and he built this friendship between us and then this incredible love just started to build between the two of us and it’s been amazing.”
Chapman has written three books. His autobiography, “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” (co-written with Laura Morton) debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. He also appeared on “The Masked Singer,” performing as the Armadillo. He was unmasked during the second round.
Dog the Bounty Hunter talks to law enforcement, inmates
Chapman continues to work as an inspiration speaker and supports law enforcement. In March, he spoke to Flagler County Sheriffs’ deputies and county prisoners about his experiences.
“I vowed to not do felonies anymore, maybe just a few misdemeanors,” he said, grinning, adding later, “If you don’t change what you’re doing, you’ll either be dead or doing more time. This could be your last chance.”
Chapman has said he keeps his hand in bounty hunting and talks to fans regularly through social media.
When did Dog the Bounty Hunter move to Florida? Does he still live there?
The couple made several appearances on Marco Island to speak at Souza Ministries, run by Francine’s best friend Katie Souza, and fell in love with the area. Chapman and his wife Francie started showing up on Marco Island in 2023 with locals eagerly sharing photos and stories of meeting them.
“The people are just wonderful here and we’re starting to build community and get plugged in … everybody has just been so incredible. It has amazed and floored me how embracive people are over what we’re doing,” Chapman said.
The Chapmans moved to Naples, and later bought a 4-acre spot in Sarasota and continued making appearances at events for law enforcement and local churches.
On June 22 the Chapmans announced they were leaving Florida to move to Georgia and have been chronicling their move online.
Contributing: Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News and Colleen Michele Jones, Daytona Beach News-Journal
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Who is Dog the Bounty Hunter? Tragedy strikes TV star, Florida resident Duane Chapman
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
