The Tragic Lives Of Dog The Bounty Hunter Star’s Duane And Beth Chapman

‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ and the following shows saw many of us fall in love with the Chapman family. However, not many fans have learned about the tragic lives of Duane and Beth Chapman and the struggles they faced away from the series.

‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ first hit our screens in August 2004 and introduced us to Duane Chapman, better known as Dog, and his family. His wife, Beth Chapman, was often by his side, as well as several of Dog’s children and friends. Even though the show was ultimately canceled in 2012, the couple were so popular that they landed a new show titled ‘Dog and Beth: On the Hunt.’ Over the years, even more spin-offs, including ‘Dog’s Most Wanted’ and the up-and-coming ‘Dog’s Unleashed,’ have graced our screens. So what was life like for the stars away from our screens?

No one ever found out who threatened Dog and his family

If there’s one thing that most of us will do, it’s go as far as possible to protect our family. That seemed to be the case for Duane Chapman, better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, but things weren’t easy. Of course, his line of work means that Dog has probably got quite the list of enemies to his name.

Sadly, one took things to the next level in 2012 when they started making threats against Dog’s life as well as the lives of his family. The emails Dog received were graphic, violent, and one step too far as the family took them all to the FBI and filed an official report against whoever was behind them. Amazingly, the FBI never tracked a suspect.

Several Native Americans claim that Dog and his mother were never Cherokee

Many of us have learned all kinds of things about Duane thanks to his show ‘Dog the Bounty hunter.’ One of the many how proud the star is of his Native American heritage. So what if we told you that might not be the case after all? Dog says that his mother was Cherokee, and he has continued to carry the torch ever since.

The star even wears Native American jewelry and feathers in his hair. However, many Native Americans say it’s all a way for Dog to prompt his show, and he has no connection to their culture. Others have stated Dog’s mother was initially from Poland, but she fell for the culture when she landed in the US and would tell people she was Cherokee.

Lyssa Chapman claims that she had a tough upbringing with Dog

Over the years, we have met several people from Dog’s family. After all, it’s rumored that he could have up to 13 children. Sadly, one doesn’t have very nice things to say about her father – and has often voiced all kinds of drama from the family to the rest of the world. Lyssa was a result of Dog’s third marriage to her mom with the same name.

However, in her book ‘Walking on Eggshells,’ she briefly accused her dad of assaulting her. Lyssa confessed it was a lie, and it was supposedly one of Dog’s friends. That was just the beginning. Lyssa continued to add that “living with him and Beth and the fighting” was often too much, especially when it was combined with the supposed narcotics.

Dog was granted custody of his grandchild by the courts

Barbara Katie is one of Duane Chapman’s many children. She welcomed her own son, Travis, before she lost her life, and it looked as though Dog loved the chance to play granddad. That was until the police received a disturbing phone call. Travis was living with his biological father when the neighbors reported sounds of abuse coming from their home.

The police eventually removed the child and found recordings that appeared to back up the neighbor’s claims. The courts didn’t want to see Travis go into care during the investigation, so Dog was granted custody of his grandson. It seems the investigators either didn’t hear about Lyssa’s claims about her childhood, or they didn’t believe what she had to say about her upbringing.

Was Dog getting robbed real or an inside job?

Perhaps working as a bounty hunter has you thinking no one would mess with Duane Chapman and his family? It can be easy to be fooled, but it turns out the star has been on the other side of crime a few times throughout his life. One of them came when Dog and Beth were staying in a posh hotel suite in Los Angeles.

The couple was supposedly out of the room when someone broke in and stole $5,000 from the room’s safe. There were just a few problems. To start, nothing else in the room had been taken, even though there were luggage and expensive jewelry. Plus, there were no signs of forced entry, leaving many to question the truth.

Things got pretty physical during Dog’s time at a bar in 2011

Working in the job he does means that Duane Chapman has seen his fair share of trouble on ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter.’ The star of the show would often storm into places demanding to find the person he’s after. So what about when the person doesn’t want to go quietly? It turns out that used to be a pretty common sight.

In 2011, Dog was at a bar in Colorado as he was looking for the owner’s father. It didn’t take long for a shouting match to start as the team on the show began to get pretty aggressive. One of the guy’s reportedly punched a guy while the owner and dog supposedly took their fight outside. That was until Dog pulled out his stun gun, and things ended.

Dog spent time behind bars for a pretty serious crime

Did you know that Duane Chapman was once brushing shoulders with the criminals he vowed to put behind bars? That’s right; the bounty hunter has a pretty lengthy rap sheet that all started when he dropped out of school at just 13 years old. From there, Dog joined a motorbike gang and was supposedly arrested for armed robbery.

Dog was apparently waiting for one of his friends to make a deal when they pulled out a gun and shot the other person. Being in the car meant that Dog was an accomplice and was convicted for taking someone’s life. He was sentenced to five years behind bars at the Texas State Penitentiary, where Dog allegedly served just 18 months before he turned his life around.

There is a reason Dog never uses a gun while catching criminals

‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ has shown us plenty of behind-the-scenes secrets about the life of a bounty hunter. It’s pretty common to see Dog in his armored vest with a host of weapons by his side just in case things get out of hand. Of course, who could forget his famous stun gun? Perhaps you’ve found yourself wondering why he never carried a real gun?

His former conviction means that Dog is a felon, which means he can never own or purchase a firearm. Even though he didn’t have a weapon that most people would associate with a bounty hunter, Duane Chapman has still grown to become one of the most famous in the field thanks to his work over the years.

Bobby Brown sued the show after claims surrounding his pay

Bobby Brown became a pretty recognizable face throughout ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter.’ Sadly, it seems there was some bad blood behind the scenes of the show. In 2011, the bail bondsman actually sued the show after he accused them of withholding money and not coughing up as much as he was promised from the start.

According to Bobby, he was supposed to receive the same as any of the full cast members. Still, he was paid just a fraction at $6,000 – nothing compared to the $400 million ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ made in the first seven seasons. Although Bobby said he worked for 50 hours an episode and was responsible for most of the arrests, there has been no word about the pay dispute.

One guy tried to sue Dog the Bounty Hunter for defamation

There is something about ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ and lawsuits that appear to go hand in hand. Another lawsuit came Duane Chapman’s way in 2011 as Hoang Minh Phung Nguyen tried to sue the show for defamation. Two years before the case, Dog claimed that Hoang shot at the crew as they tried to make the arrest.

The assistant district attorney eventually dropped all charges due to conflicting statements and insufficient evidence. This was teamed with the fact Dog allegedly promised to hand footage of the chase and shooting, but it was never seen. Hoang says that his reputation was damaged, he lost his job, and the episode wasn’t accurate, but there was never any word about the outcome.

An apparent fallout with Beth saw Duane’s two sons walk away

Having such a large family meant it wasn’t long before Duane’s family stepped up to make a name for themselves in the family bounty hunting business and on the show. Dog’s sons, Duane Lee and Leland, are two of the many who have appeared in ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ over the years, but the bliss didn’t last.

In 2012, the world saw a fight between Duane Lee and his stepmother, Beth, from the year before as he shouted about Beth wanting to get him fired. It wasn’t long before Leland stepped in and declared, “I quit too.” The pair later announced they had walked away from the show. In 2015, Leland was working on his own bail bond company while Duane Lee moved to Florida.

Dog the Bounty Hunter was canceled after a leaked phone call with his son

If there’s one person who seems to have a strained relationship with his father, it’s Tucker. Over the years, we’ve learned the bounty hunter has troubled relationships with most of his children. Still, it was one phone call in particular that got people talking, so much so that ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ was handed its marching orders.

Dog was talking to his son on the phone about Tucker’s new girlfriend, who just so happened to be of another ethnicity. The star can be heard calling her plenty of disrespectful and offensive names. The leaked phone call – that many assume was leaked by Tucker himself – was so offensive that A and E decided to pull the show temporarily. However, this was eventually a permanent move.

A change in bail bonds saw Dog and Beth get the ax once again

Even though it looked like ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ was gone for good, the famous couple got another chance with a new show called ‘Dog and Beth: On The Hunt’ that was given the green light by CMT. Sadly, it only lasted a few seasons – and it looked as though it was a change of bail bonds that was behind the second cancellation.

Dog has always made his living by chasing down bad guys and putting them behind bars, but the change in law means that bounty hunters could soon be a thing of the past. Essentially, this means that Dog could be out of a job, and no job means no TV show. Sadly, all good things must come to an end.

It’s thought Dog offered his third wife $1,000 to have his child

It seems that Duane Chapman’s relationship with his third wife, Lyssa, was filled with controversies from the start. The pair were married for nine years and share three children, but did you know that Dog and Lyssa met just nine days before the couple tied the knot? That’s right; they were both at the same bar when their paths crossed.

As if that wasn’t enough, Lyssa was still married to her husband, but the pair had separated. Dog later opened up about their marriage, including the fact he supposedly offered Lyssa $1,000 to have his child. Of course, it seems that Lyssa agreed as they welcomed Barbara Katie, Tucker, and Lyssa over the years. The family all now live in Colorado.

Beth Chapman was arrested in 2013 for cursing at a teenager

Believe it or not, but it turns out that Beth Chapman has caused her fair share of trouble, including an incident in 2013. It’s reported the family was all on a Colorado fishing trip when Beth was upset by a teenager driving by. Beth supposedly thought the only way to share her thoughts was to lean out the window and shout a host of cuss words at the teen before she called the police and reported the teen had a gun.

The problem? The Chapmans drove off before the officers arrived on the scene, and the teen actually filed a report against Beth. It turns out it’s illegal to use “coarse language” in Colorado. Beth failed to show up for summons but did later turn herself in.

It’s reported Beth and Dog started dating while they were both married

Fans of ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ got to learn even more about their favorite TV stars in Duane Chapman’s book ‘You Can Run but You Can’t Hide’ as he shared secrets that no one ever knew about his personal life. One of the many things Dog spoke about was his relationship with Beth – and more importantly, how it all began.

Here, Dog says the pair were already together “the entire time I was married to Tawny and throughout her marriage to Keith.” Apparently, Beth would often “threaten to take our motel bill to the office” unless Dog agreed “to spend more time with her.” In the end, he found a way to get around almost being called out by booking the rooms in Beth’s name.

Dog and Beth had some heartbreaking news just hours before their wedding

Throughout the years, Dog and Beth were on and off again before they finally walked down the aisle on May 20, 2006. It looked as though things were set to be filled with joy and happiness at last. Tragically, the pair learned some news just hours before their wedding. Dog’s daughter, Barbara Katie, from a previous marriage, lost her life in a car accident.

She was just 23 years old when Barbara and the driver “crashed into an embankment,” according to a state trooper talking to The Washington Post. Jeremy Stone claims there were “absolutely no skid marks,” and he had no idea why they left the road. Dog and Beth decided to tell their guests at the reception and used it as a way to celebrate Barbara’s life.

Lyssa Chapman and her children almost lost their lives a few years later

As if losing one loved one isn’t bad enough, history almost repeated itself eight years later when Lyssa Chapman and her children were also involved in a serious car crash in Hawaii. Beth broke the news to TMZ as she said Lyssa had “all our kids in the car.” The Daily Mail later reported that Lyssa was joined by five-year-old Madalynn and 12-year-old Abbie when they were involved in the accident.

Photos from the accident show the airbags had gone off, and there was debris from the vehicle spread all across the road, but everyone was eventually able to walk away. Beth even shared videos from the crash to social media and commented, “Lucky they are walking away.” It was certainly lucky indeed.

Lyssa and Beth Chapman always had a strained relationship

If there’s one thing that ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ fans learned, it’s that Lyssa Chapman and her stepmom Beth didn’t always have the best relationship. No one really knows what sparked the issues, but it seems things became even more strained in 2017 when Beth underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her throat.

Apparently, Lyssa didn’t visit her stepmom at the hospital. Entertainment Daily later reported that Lyssa stood by her decision as she claimed to be busy at the time. Lyssa also took to social media to say that she wasn’t going to let “the cancer eat away at my home as well.” Beth later accused Lyssa of pushing her out once again in May 2019 when she didn’t receive a Mother’s Day text.

Beth ultimately fought cancer not once but twice throughout her life

As if battling cancer once wasn’t enough, it seems that Beth Chapman had to do it all over again just one year later. In September 2017, Beth was diagnosed with Stage II throat cancer and vowed to fight the illness with everything that she had, especially for the sake of her family. It looked as though everything was over.

Sadly, the star learned that the cancer had returned in November 2018 after being rushed in for emergency surgery to remove a blockage in her throat. Duane opened up about all to The Blast, where he confessed that she was “not doing good” after the operation. The couple returned to Colorado, where Beth continued her fight, even though the odds were against her.

Some people think Beth Chapman had cosmetic surgery throughout her career

It’s no secret that being on reality TV has caused some people to alter their bodies as they want to ensure they always look the best for the cameras. Some people think this is the view Beth Chapman took during her many years on screen. Fans got to see Beth’s appearance change in several ways, including her weight.

Although some think this could be due to diet and healthy eating, others believe this could have been thanks to a tummy tuck. Beth never opened up about having any cosmetic procedures, and none of her family have ever confirmed the rumors, but that hasn’t stopped some people from debating whether she could have been under the knife throughout her time on TV.

Others believe Beth Chapman lost weight due to her diagnosis

Even though Beth Chapman was battling cancer, it seems the reality star was always working to try and remain as healthy as possible. Amo Mama reports the real reason Beth lost weight during the later seasons of the show is that she altered her diet to avoid “fatty foods” in favor of healthier options, such as green tea and watermelon.

The report also says that Beth didn’t want to alter her appearance “due to the pressures of others” and instead wanted to ensure she was living the healthiest life she could. As well as eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, Beth supposedly also started a daily exercise routine that included crunches, mountain climbers, bicycle crunches, and wall push-ups.

Beth Chapman wanted to look her best in her last days

Beth Chapman showed her strength and determination for many months on Dog’s TV shows as she continued to work and catch criminals even after her cancer diagnosis. In fact, Beth was determined to do it all while looking her best, even though the star confessed the family was “all over the place.”

Apparently, Beth busied herself trying to find “wigs, hats, scarves” to try and “keep me looking normal” as she wanted everything to be business as usual throughout her final days on the show. Sadly, Beth’s initial chemotherapy left the star with several side effects, including losing her hair. This was something she didn’t want the world to see, so she opted to wear wigs and other head coverings whenever she was on camera.

Even her final days saw Beth Chapman sport her famous nails

Spending so much time on screens meant that Beth and Duane Chapman wanted to be open with the world about her battles with cancer and how the treatments were coming along. The pair shared several stories from the hospital with the world and gave several interviews about it all along the way.

We even got to see Beth’s legacy as episodes with the star continued to air shortly after she passed away. One of the many things Beth showcased over the years was her impressive manicures, as she always wanted a fresh set of nails for the screen. Amazingly, Beth continued this practice in her final days as Dog took to social media to share a snap of her nails shortly before Beth lost her life.

Beth Chapman apparently stopped her chemotherapy treatments shortly before her passing

Several cancer patients have looked at all of their options during treatment. It seems that Beth Chapman was no exception. According to Us Weekly, the star initially underwent rounds of chemotherapy under her doctor’s orders. In January 2018, the publication released a statement from the family’s attorney, Andrew R. Brettler. He admitted Beth had been going through treatments for a month, “but they certainly take their toll on her.”

Beth confirmed this was all true on social media, but things didn’t last. In May 2019, People magazine reported that Beth had apparently “stopped chemotherapy treatments.” She spoke at the Source Church in Bradenton, Florida, where Beth confessed, “Chemotherapy is not my bag, people,” and admitted her battle was “the ultimate test of faith.”

Beth Chapman used alternative treatments toward the end of her cancer battle

Many fans wanted to know how Beth Chapman was going to battle cancer without medical intervention, especially when Dog announced that she was refusing any prescribed medicine. Apparently, she would take over-the-counter medication for the pain but didn’t want to take any prescribed or more powerful medication. The real reason was never really explained.

However, we did learn that Beth could have been using alternative medications for her illness. Some reports claim she was using extracts from narcotics to try and naturally deal with the pain. In February 2019, Beth told social media that “We need to be far more open-minded to new treatments.” Although some people thought the comments were controversial, many knew that Beth was open to make her own decisions about her health.

Duane Chapman broke the news of Beth’s passing on social media

Tragically, Beth’s battle with cancer ended on June 26, 2019, as the TV star lost her life. She had been placed in a medically-induced coma due to several complications just a few days before her life came to an end. Beth was just 51 years old. Duane opened up about it all on social media as he shared the news of Beth’s passing.

Dog said that his wife would usually “wake up to go hike Koko Head mountain” at “5:32,” but this time, she “hiked the stairway to heaven.” Thankfully, it seems that loved ones surrounded Beth at the time as a family representative told People magazine that Beth was “surrounded by her family and Dog was there, holding her hand.”

Dog still sleeps next to Beth Chapman’s ashes and didn’t follow her final wish

One of the more tragic details to come out of Beth Chapman’s passing is the effect it’s left on those she left behind. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Duane confessed that he still sleeps next to Beth’s ashes and has even thought about taking her for a ride in his car, just like they used to when she was alive.

Dog confessed that he knows it’s something he needs to watch as “These are the times when people go over the edge.” Although Dog has held onto Beth’s ashes, it seems this wasn’t her passing wish. Apparently, she wanted to be scattered, but Dog confessed that he wasn’t ready to “start over” and part with the remaining thing he had left of his late wife.

Moon Angell worked alongside Beth Chapman for more than two decades

It didn’t take long for fans of Dog and Beth to look at the bounty hunter’s personal life. It seemed as though Dog could have a new woman by his side, but who was Moon Angell? It turned out that she had worked alongside Beth for more than 20 years, something Dog revealed in an interview with Radar Online.

Apparently, Moon worked as Beth’s assistant and was there throughout the good and bad times, including when Beth was in the hospital and going through her various treatments. It seems she became a shoulder to cry on for Dog as he told Radar Online that Moon would “tell me to suck it up” whenever he gets “into a dark hole” about Beth’s passing.

Beth Chapman could have warned the family about Moon Angell

Okay, Lyssa Chapman isn’t the most reliable source of information when it comes to the inside scoop on Duane and his family. However, that hasn’t stopped his daughter from taking to social media and airing their alleged dirty laundry for the world to see. Lyssa had plenty to say shortly after Beth’s passing and the news of Moon Angell growing close to Dog.

She claims “my mother specifically warned me about” Moon before adding, “The devil ALWAYS goes for the weakest link.” Lyssa was back at it again in a since-deleted post where she stated Moon had been with “5 men in 3 years” and that her life was filled with “restraining orders” and “trust fund thefts.” Could it really be true?

Duane Chapman allegedly told Beth he would never walk down the aisle again

Dog is no stranger to marriage as the bounty hunter has walked down the aisle five times and has several children. Could his marriage to Beth really have been the last time Dog said: “I do”? That could be the case if his interview with Hollywood Life is true. In September 2019, Dog admitted he “will have a girlfriend probably.”

However, he also confessed that “I promised Beth I would never get remarried.” It seems the feeling was mutual as Dog claims Beth also promised she would never walk down the aisle again, even if things took a turn in their relationship. It seems Dog still feels his late wife’s presence as he admitted he often hopes “that she is watching and I definitely feel her sometimes.”

Some fans have already seen Moon Angell reject a wedding ring

So if Moon Angell and Duane Chapman are nothing but friends, then why did he get down on one knee during an episode of ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ in February 2020? The show’s host didn’t help matters by continually teasing the proposal before the show and even included a clip of it all in a promo commercial for the episode.

Apparently, Dog felt it was the right thing to do during a bathroom break on the show. He returned to the set and decided to get down on one knee shortly after crying about Beth and how much he missed his wife. Even though Moon instantly rejected Dog’s offer, he later said it was nothing more than a “test.”

Lyssa Chapman has some pretty harsh things to say about Moon Angell

It didn’t take long for Lyssa Chapman to share her thoughts on Moon Angell. Once again, it all aired out on social media in a rant that was initially aimed at ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ star Justin Bihag. Lyssa accused Justin of trying to steal Beth’s ashes to sell on eBay, but it didn’t take long for things to turn to Moon.

Here, Lyssa called her “disgusting” before adding that she was “supposed to be a ‘friend” to Dog before she supposedly moved in on the grieving widow. The worst part? Lyssa even added that Moon was “with my BROTHER” before supposedly setting her sights on Dog. Moon? She retaliated by calling Lyssa “thirsty for attention” and said she is “ruining” Dog’s life.

Duane Chapman was praying that someone like Moon Angell would come into his life

It can be tough for most of us to move on after losing a loved one, let alone someone who has been in our life for so many years and become a huge part of our every day. That was the case for Duane Chapman as he struggled to come to terms with Beth’s passing, even going as far as to tell Entertainment Tonight that he’s been “embarrassed to smile.”

His children have all left the house, and now no one is left. According to an interview with Radar Online, this left Dog asking “Almighty God” for a friend in this world. It seems that it wasn’t long before his prayers were answered as Moon has been there for the grieving star ever since.

Lyssa think Duane Chapman could have already asked Moon to move in

If there’s one thing that’s got people talking, it’s whether Moon Angell and Duane Chapman are really friends or if there could be more to their relationship behind closed doors. The pair have denied any rumors that they’re dating and the public marriage rejection seemed to put many people’s minds at ease. That doesn’t mean everyone is happy.

Dog and Moon both shared the same photo on social media during the holidays and led many people to think they spent the time together. Lyssa Chapman also claims that Moon has moved into Dog’s home – something that angered Lyssa and Beth’s daughter, Cecily. She claims Dog “threw [her] to the curb” when Beth passed and has now moved in with his potential new partner.