As Dog the Bounty Hunter's Duane Chapman's family and fanbase are still currently mourning the loss of matriarch Beth Chapman, more bad news has hit. Son Leland Chapman, who's definitely familiar to those who've kept up with Dog's shows over the years, faced a pretty serious injury during the first bounty-chasing gig after the much-publicized death, and he's currently being hospitalized in Alabama.
Here's how it all went down. For their first big gig in the aftermath of Beth Chapman passing away in late June, Duane and Leland Chapman were on the prowl for Edward Morales while filming a segment of WGN America's upcoming series Dog's Most Wanted. The fugitive had reportedly pled guilty to harassment in June in Adams County, Colorado, after being charged with domestic violence. Morales was scheduled to appear at a later hearing that he inevitably failed to attend.
Duane and Leland Chapman & Co. eventually found Edward Morales, but a scuffle ensued when they were trying to apprehend him. Leland, who was first on the scene to make the collar, reportedly got injured during the physical takedown. Morales apparently didn't make it easy on anyone, though he was later overpowered and taken into custody.
It was initially reported that Leland Chapman had suffered a torn ACL, but according to an update from The Blast, he apparently "tore his achilles tendon in half," which sounds awful. He was taken to a local hospital where his injuries were diagnosed, and it's reported that he will be recuperating in an Alabama hospital closer to his Athens, Alabama home.
Leland Chapman will obviously need surgery to fix his leg issues, and that's being planned for next week. It's expected that he will be unable to take part in production on Dog's Most Wanted for at least the next six weeks while he recovers.
Fans will get a chance to see Dog and Leland on screen again before that, though it will be for a more emotional experience: Beth Chapman's live-streamed service that's taking place in Colorado. The younger Chapman will presumably be using crutches or some other form of assistance during the ceremony, which is one of two major memorials that her husband set up for her to be remembered by family, friends, and the millions around the world who grew to love her over the years.
Dog The Bounty Hunter Shares Touching Words After Wife Beth Chapman's Death
Beth Chapman, who got a special tribute from A&E in the week after her death, passed away on June 26, 2019, after succumbing to throat cancer that she was battling for the second time. She'd previously been diagnosed with it in September 2017, but came out of that experience cancer-free just two months later. The battle was documented in an A&E special.
Unfortunately, the disease returned with a vengeance a year later, and she was hospitalized again in April of this year. It was just days prior to her death that Beth Chapman was put into ICU and placed in a medically induced coma. Despite some hopes that things might turn around, she inevitably couldn't overcome it.
Here's hoping more positivity comes Duane and Leland Chapman's respective ways in the near future as the latter heads down the road to recovery. Though the main squad won't be at full potential, Dog's Most Wanted will presumably continue with its production on the way to an as-yet-unannounced premiere date on WGN America.
Beth Chapman's Celebration of Life service will take place on July 13 at the Heritage Christian Center in Aurora, Colorado. It's expected for fan-made videos to be played during the service, which will run from 2-4 p.m. local time.
