Updated March 30th, 2022

Duane “Dog” Chapman’s Realization Since Losing Wife, Beth, to Lung Cancer: “I’m No Longer Afraid to Die”

Details

A New Perspective

Duane “Dog” Chapman talked about adjusting to life after losing his wife Beth to lung cancer, and working on the show without her
After watching her bravely fight cancer, Chapman says he’s not afraid to die anymore and lives life to the fullest
Beth Chapman passed away in June 2019 after battling stage 4 lung cancer

Duane “Dog” Chapman has a whole new outlook on life; he’s no longer afraid to die and filming his television show just isn’t the same anymore since losing his wife Beth to lung cancer.

It’s been just over a year since Beth Chapman passed away from her battle with stage 4 lung cancer, and Duane “Dog” Chapman is reflecting on his new normal since seeing her go. The couple were known for their crime fighting partnership in Dog the Bounty Hunter, and Chapman says it’s been difficult to continue working without his partner in crime by his side.

“It just feels terrible to lose a spouse and have your wife go before you,” Chapman told The Daily Star. “I’ve had to adjust Beth isn’t there anymore telling me to stay back or warning me a guy is about to shoot.”

However, Chapman admits that he’s gained a whole new perspective on life after seeing Beth fight so bravely during her cancer battle. Now, while catching criminals, he’s not afraid to give everything he’s got. “I’m no longer afraid to die. I don’t want to die, but I’m not scared anymore. When I go to catch somebody, I stick out my chest and go for it,” Chapman says.

Duane “Dog” Chapman talks to SurvivorNet about life after Beth

How to Cope with Losing a Spouse to Cancer

While mourning the loss of a loved one, many may think you need to “move on.” However, that’s not necessary, and people who have watched their loved ones battle cancer are offering some advice to the SurvivorNet community.

Doug Wendt was right by his late wife Alice’s side when she passed away from ovarian cancer, and served as her caregiver during the experience. After her passing, he had to cope with the emotions he was feeling, and though he admits he'll never really get over losing Alice, but knows she wouldn’t want him to mourn forever.

“We're never gonna move on, I don't even think I want to move on, but I do want to move forward," Doug says. "That's an important distinction and I encourage anybody who goes through this journey as a caregiver and then has to face loss, to think very carefully about how to move forward."

Doug Wendt talks life after losing his wife Alice to ovarian cancer

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