Dog the Bounty Hunter, the iconic television personality Duane Chapman, and his wife Francie Chapman have embarked on a new chapter. For fans wondering, “Where Is Dog The Bounty Hunter Now?”, the answer might surprise you – he’s traded the snow-capped mountains of Colorado and the sunny shores of Hawaii for the serene landscapes of Marco Island, Florida. This move marks not just a change of scenery, but a significant pivot in their lives, shifting focus from chasing fugitives to pursuing a heartfelt mission of helping abused women.
From Bounty Hunter to Island Resident: A New Adventure in Marco Island
Duane “Dog” Chapman, famed for his gripping reality TV shows that chronicled the thrilling life of a bounty hunter, has found a new home on Marco Island. After decades in the spotlight, capturing the attention of a dedicated fanbase with his high-stakes profession, Dog and his wife, Francie Chapman, are embracing a quieter, yet equally impactful, life in Southwest Florida. Their journey to Marco Island began after a whirlwind romance and marriage in September 2021, following the heartbreaking loss of their previous spouses to cancer.
Francie Chapman, originally a rancher from Colorado, connected with Dog in 2019 amidst shared grief and a desire for healing. Their bond deepened, leading them to Marco Island, a place they now call home and the base for their burgeoning ministry. The community has warmly welcomed them, and they are actively engaging with local churches and residents, drawn to the island’s close-knit atmosphere and the opportunities it presents for their philanthropic endeavors.
An Unexpected Connection Forged in Grief
The story of how Dog and Francie met is as unconventional as it is heartwarming. Francie, still grieving the loss of her husband Bob in 2018, almost missed the call that would change her life. Dog, returning to Colorado after Beth Chapman’s passing in 2019 to handle arrangements, needed help with his driveway. He reached out to a contractor recommended by a neighbor – Francie’s late husband.
Recalling the moment, Francie explained to The News-Press that she was still managing her late husband’s business phone, a painful task that often led to emotional distress. When Dog called and left a message, Francie almost deleted it without listening. However, something prompted her to listen, and she heard Dog mention a mutual client. Intrigued, she decided to return the call.
Expecting to deliver the somber news of her husband’s passing to another client, Francie asked for “Doug.” Confusion ensued, and in a moment of vulnerability, Dog revealed his true identity and shared his recent loss of Beth. This initial phone call, intended for a business inquiry, turned into a two-hour conversation filled with shared grief, mutual understanding, and unexpected solace. Despite the unusual circumstances, it was the beginning of a profound connection.
From Friendship to Love: God’s Plan Unveiled
Following their initial, lengthy phone call, Francie and Dog remained out of contact for several months. Francie shared the story of her conversation with her friends, who were understandably excited about her interaction with the famous Dog the Bounty Hunter. Eight months later, a friend alerted her to a video where Dog spoke publicly about their call, mentioning their shared healing and a belief that God would use them together.
Encouraged, Francie reached out to Dog, who was delighted to hear from her. They soon met for coffee, discovering a deep connection that went beyond their shared experiences of loss. Francie admitted she had never watched Dog’s show and was surprised to find him to be a genuine, kind-hearted man with a strong faith. Their friendship blossomed into an unexpected love, culminating in their marriage in Colorado Springs.
Francie has since embraced her platform to advocate for abused and trafficked women, with Dog as a supportive partner every step of the way. They share a passion for helping others transform their lives, driven by their own journeys through grief and hardship. This shared mission has become a cornerstone of their life together, especially as they settle into their new home on Marco Island.
Marco Island: A Calling to Serve
The move to Marco Island was driven by more than just a desire for warmer weather. Francie’s close friendship with author and speaker Katie Souza, who has a ministry based on Marco Island, played a significant role. Through visits to speak at Souza’s ministry and appear on Faith TV, also located on the island, the Chapmans connected with individuals dedicated to helping abused and trafficked women in the region.
They felt a calling to bring their ministries together, creating the “House of Bounty,” a vision to provide safe homes and comprehensive support for women in need. Marco Island, with its welcoming community and existing faith-based infrastructure, seemed like the perfect place to establish this initiative. The Chapmans, along with Katie Souza, felt divinely guided to relocate to Florida and dedicate themselves to this cause.
The House of Bounty: Building Homes and Futures
Currently, the Chapmans are actively working towards purchasing land in nearby Naples to establish the first House of Bounty. Francie emphasizes that these will be “whole homes,” not halfway houses, offering a structured 18-month program designed to facilitate healing and long-term recovery. The program will provide stages of progression, aiming to empower women to heal from trauma, escape abusive situations, and discover their purpose.
The House of Bounty will cater to women from various abusive backgrounds, requiring them to have completed detox beforehand, as it is not a rehabilitation facility. The response from the Marco Island community and beyond has been overwhelmingly positive, with many offering support and assistance. For Francie, this mission is deeply personal, stemming from her own experiences and a desire to provide the support she once lacked.
Beyond the House of Bounty, Dog remains active with other projects. He is currently writing a new book and launching a podcast called “Dogcast,” expected to debut soon. While his days of high-speed bounty hunting might be behind him, Duane “Dog” Chapman is far from retired. He and Francie are channeling their energy and resources into making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable women, proving that their move to Marco Island is not just a relocation, but a reinvention focused on service and compassion.
In reflecting on their journey, Francie believes their meeting was divinely orchestrated for a purpose far greater than personal healing. It was, she says, “God using us to change people’s lives,” a testament to their enduring love story and their shared commitment to making the world a better place, starting from their new home base on Marco Island.
