While it might seem like its been an eternity since the reality star Dog the Bounty Hunter was tracking down fugitives and neer-do-wells with his wife and kids on the streets of Hawaii or in the mountains of Colorado, TVs favorite bounty hunter has still been plenty busy. With a new show on WGN and a new paramour, the mononymous Dog (real name Duane Chapman) has been keeping himself busy.
The famous bounty hunter announced a new merchandise line in honor of his late wife, fan-favorite Beth Chapman, who died from throat cancer in June 2019 (via The Sun), and while Dog may have found love with his fiancée Francie Frane, its clear to his fan base that Dog has — and will — always prioritize the loved ones hes lost.
As many fans know, Beth isnt the first immediate family member Dog the Bounty Hunter has had to mourn. His daughter, Barbara Katy Chapman, also passed away under tragic circumstances more than a decade and a half ago. But how did Dog the Bounty Hunters daughter die, and what were the circumstances surrounding her passing that drove the press into a frenzy? Lets take a closer look.
Chapman rose to fame in 2003 after tracking and capturing Max Factor, heir of serial rapist Andrew Luster, in Mexico.
Barbara is survived by son Travis Drake-Lee, born in 2002 – he was just four years old when she died.
Barbara was killed in a car accident the day before her father‘s wedding to his fifth wife, Beth Smith.
Dog gathered his surviving children to discuss whether his Hawaii wedding should go ahead the very next day, and it did – as a celebration of his daughter’s life.
Dog’s baby son Zebadiah – whose mother is second ex-wife Ann Tegnell – tragically died at under a month old in 1980.
Barbara was a mother of a young son.
Chapman left behind her 4-year-old son, Travis Drake-Lee Chapman.
Chapman was Dog’s eldest child with his third wife, Lyssa Greene, with whom he shares two other children.
Dog also had 6 sons from previous relationships prior to Chapman’s birth and went on to have two more children, as well as adopting Beth Chapman’s daughter.
Barbara died a day before Dog and Beth’s wedding.
Dog was due to marry his longtime partner, and fellow bounty hunter, Beth a day after Barbara’s death.
Barbara was not expected to attend the Hawaii wedding and Dog decided with his children to go ahead with his marital plans in order to honor his daughter.
“They all decided unanimously they should celebrate the wedding and her life,” Michael Feeney, senior vice president of A&E television network, revealed in a statement at the time.
