Love has found its way back into the life of Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman. The reality TV star, known for his tough-as-nails persona, has embarked on a new chapter by marrying Francie Frane in September 2021. This union comes after the heartbreaking loss of his longtime wife, Beth Chapman, who succumbed to throat cancer in 2017, leaving a void in Chapman’s life.
Despite the immense grief, Chapman had a candid conversation with Beth before her passing, where he expressed his willingness to potentially pursue a future relationship. “I probably will [date again], and I told her that,” Chapman shared with PEOPLE Now in August 2019, emphasizing his commitment to never erase Beth’s memory, as her name remains tattooed on his chest.
A Bond Forged in Shared Grief
Chapman and Frane’s connection was forged through the shared experience of losing their spouses to cancer. In an Entertainment Tonight interview in 2020, the couple revealed that Frane’s husband, Bob, an excavator by trade, had also passed away from cancer in December 2018 – just six months before Beth’s untimely demise.
Fate intervened when Chapman reached out to Bob, unaware of his passing, for some work to be done. Frane, in turn, called Chapman back, and an instant connection was formed, a bond that would eventually blossom into something more profound.
Healing Through Understanding
Chapman and Frane found solace in each other’s understanding of the pain and grief they were both enduring. “We understood the pain that the other one was feeling and [in] those tough days and moments, we helped each other stand up,” Frane told ET. “We could cry with each other and talk about what we were feeling. … It brought us together in this amazing way.”
Their shared experiences not only provided comfort but also paved the way for a deeper connection, allowing them to navigate the complexities of grief together.
A New Beginning
Ten months after Beth’s passing, Chapman and Frane took their relationship to the next level by getting engaged in May 2020. “They’re very happy and looking forward to a long life together,” a representative for Chapman told PEOPLE. The reality star even expressed his belief that Beth would approve of his new relationship, a testament to the enduring love and respect he holds for his late wife.
On September 2, 2021, Frane became Mrs. Chapman in a ceremony held in Colorado. Embracing Chapman’s lifestyle, the former rancher has traded her rural roots for a life on the road, accompanying her husband to conventions and conferences across the country. Frane has even joined Chapman on bounty hunting adventures, fully immersing herself in his world.
A Love Reborn
Through the depths of grief and loss, Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman and Francie Frane have found solace and love in each other’s company. Their shared experiences have forged an unbreakable bond, allowing them to heal and move forward together. As Chapman embarks on this new chapter with his wife by his side, their love story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of connection in overcoming life’s greatest challenges.