Dog the Bounty Hunter’s son Duane Lee Chapman Jr left his father’s show behind over ten years ago. Since exiting the show in 2012, Duane Jr has kept a low profile compared to the rest of his family. His time on the reality show will probably be best remembered for the shocking manner of his departure.
For years, Duane Jr was an integral part of his dad’s team at Da Kine Bail Bonds, alongside his brother Leland and stepmother Beth Chapman. But a fiery clash with his stepmom over money eventually led to him deciding to walk away.
Duane Lee was born on January 21, 1973, to Duane Chapman and his first wife, La Fonda Sue Darnall. Growing up with bounty hunting as the family business, it was natural for Duane Lee to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He, alongside his siblings, was introduced to this line of work from a young age. This early exposure played a significant role in shaping his career and his participation in the family’s reality TV show.
In 2004, A&E launched “Dog the Bounty Hunter.” It was a reality TV show that followed the day-to-day operations of Dog Chapman and his family as they tracked down and captured fugitives.
Duane Lee was prominently featured on the show. His skills as a bounty hunter and his interactions with his father and siblings were a central theme.
His involvement in the show helped establish him as a popular figure among fans. He was admired for his professionalism and the compassionate approach he often displayed toward those they apprehended.
Duane Pursued a Quiet Life
Despite the initial success and family unity shown on “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” underlying tensions began to surface. Conflicts within the family, particularly involving Duane Lee, his brother Leland, and their stepmother, Beth Chapman, eventually led to Duane Lee and Leland leaving the series in 2012.
Reports suggest that the disputes were over work conditions, contracts, and the direction of the business. At the end of the A&E show’s last season, Duane Jr claimed that he had been underpaid by Beth and overworked by his dad.
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After turning his back on the show and the family business, Duane has never returned to reality TV. He moved away from Hawaii, where the family was based during much of their TV career, and relocated to Florida.
In Florida, he pursued a quieter life, away from bounty hunting and reality TV. Little has been publicly shared about his specific activities post-show. However, it is known that he has stayed out of the public eye, preferring a more private life.
According to the US Sun, he reportedly moved to Florida to start his own bail bondsman business. However, some suggest that he has steered his career in an entirely different direction, working as a financial advisor.
As far as we know, Duane Jr’s relationship with the rest of his family still seems to be pretty tense. Reports have suggested that after the tragic passing of Beth, Dog’s eldest son was not in attendance at her funeral.
Fans Spotted Duane’s Absence at Beth’s Funeral
Beth passed away at the age of 51 in 2019 after a battle with throat cancer. In 2020, the family held a memorial for Beth, which Dog’s son Leland shared pictures of on social media.
In the caption to his post, Leland wrote, “I still can’t believe she’s gone. She would have been thrilled to see this. Family, friends, fans all coming together to honor her legacy.”
He went on to thank everyone for sending their prayers to the Chapman family during that difficult time. However, fans soon noticed one conspicuous absence from the family photos.
Word spread of Duane Jr’s absence from the memorial. Many fans struggled to believe he would choose to miss such an important occasion for his family.
Some commenters online suggested that the figure of a man kneeling in the photo might have been Duane. However, this was soon shut down by none other than Duane Jr’s own sister, Bonnie, who clarified to fans, “No, he wasn’t.”
Duane Walked Away from the Family Business
While relations with his siblings and dad might still not be great, Duane Jr has built a family of his own. He married his wife, childhood sweetheart Teresa Roybal, in 1999 after 3 years of dating.
They divorced in 2008 for unknown reasons, having not had any children together. Duane Jr does have one son, Dylan Chapman, from a previous relationship.
In the years since Duane Jr walked away from the family business, Dog has continued to face problems in his relationships with his children. His daughter Beth has also been vocal about her issues with Dog, even calling him racist in an online statement.
Duane Jr, meanwhile, has decided to keep quiet about the Chapmans in recent years. Instead, he seems focused on just living a quiet, peaceful life in his new home in Florida.
Information about Duane Lee Chapman Jr.’s romantic life has been relatively private, especially compared to other members of the Chapman family whose personal lives have been more prominently featured in the media. Dog has notoriously been public with his various relationship dramas, especially after the passing of Beth.
One particularly controversial episode involved his brief connection with Moon Angell. She was a longtime friend of Beth and a former assistant of the Chapman family.
Dog’s Children Publicily Criticized Moon
Moon Angell had been a part of the Chapman family’s life for many years, providing support to both Dog and Beth during various professional and personal moments. Her close relationship with the family meant she was a familiar presence. Her support after Beth’s death was seen as a stabilizing factor for Dog during his grieving process.
The relationship between Dog and Moon Angell came to public attention when Dog’s daughter, Lyssa Chapman, expressed her disapproval on social media. Lyssa criticized Moon for moving in on her father shortly after Beth’s death, suggesting that her intentions were not genuine and accusing her of taking advantage of her father’s vulnerable state.
This family dispute spilled over into the public arena, with fans and media outlets quickly picking up on the story. Dog himself addressed the relationship in various interviews, describing Moon Angell as more of a companion and support figure during his intense grief rather than a romantic partner. He emphasized that Moon was someone who helped him cope with the loss of Beth, suggesting that their relationship was platonic and based on friendship and support, rather than a romantic involvement.
Dog Proposed on TV
The relationship reached a peak of public attention when Dog and Moon Angell appeared on “The Dr. Oz Show.” During this appearance, Dog proposed to Moon Angell on camera, asking her to marry him. The proposal shocked viewers and was widely discussed in the media.
However, Moon turned down the proposal on the show. She stated that she did not want to marry Dog and that their relationship was not romantic. This event clarified the nature of their connection to the public and highlighted the complexity of Dog’s emotional state.
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Following the rejection of the proposal, the relationship between Dog and Moon Angell quickly dissolved. Public and family pressures, combined with Moon’s disinterest in a romantic relationship, led to the end of their involvement.
Dog later expressed regret about the proposal. He acknowledged that it was a misguided attempt to find some stability during a tumultuous time in his life. Dog then went on to meet Francie Frane, whom he ultimately married, although he said he would never marry again after Beth’s passing.
