Following the tragic loss of his wife Beth, Duane “Dog” Chapman has given his first interview to thank friends and family for their support, as well as pay tribute to his late wife.
Chapman also thanked their fans for showing his family support through their “most terrible time.” He also spoke to reporters about Beth, detailing their final moments together.
Beth passed away on Wednesday, June 26th, at the age of 51, at the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. She had been battling throat cancer for nearly two years.
While speaking with reporters outside his home, Chapman told Hawaii News Now, “You kind of try to remember that you’re celebrating life, but right now we’re mourning the death. For a few years we knew this day would come. It came really unexpected, really fast. All of her clothes, her make-up, everything. We didn’t prepare. The cancer gig, of course, we gotta find a cure, because all we have now is some get lucky, but most pass away.”
Duane also spoke out to MailOnline saying, “When she had an attack I didn’t know anything to do but to say ‘in Jesus’ name’ and hold her and when I said ‘in Jesus’ name’ she said, ‘Say it again, say it more.’ And then she, you know, she told the girls and everybody with her mouth and stuff she said I love you guys, are you guys all OK? But she never accepted it.”
Please say your prayers for Beth right now thank you love you
— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) June 23, 2019
While speaking with reporters, Chapman also warned the public about fake donation pages that have been set up using Beth’s name.
“We don’t need any money at all. Please, save your money. There’s nothing being authorized from any of us,” Chapman said.
The family have already stated that they will be holding memorial services in both Hawaii and Colorado – where she was raised – for Beth.
It’s 5:32 in Hawaii, this is the time she would wake up to go hike Koko Head mountain. Only today, she hiked the stairway to heaven. We all love you, Beth. See you on the other side.
— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) June 26, 2019
After 16 years together, Beth and Duane married in 2006 at a Hilton hotel in Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii.
The couple worked closely together. Beth would run the bail bonds office while Duane would go out bounty hunting, as well as counseling detainees.
The pair rose to fame following the release of their reality show, “Dog’s Most Wanted”, in which they tracked down criminals, often with the help of their extended family.
Beth is survived by her husband Duane, his sons Leland and Duane Lee, as well as her four children, Cecily Chapman, Bonnie Chapman, Garry Chapman, and Dominic Davis.
If you’ve experienced a bereavement in your own life and would like to speak with someone in confidence, you can contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
