Fans are rallying around Dog the Bounty Hunter, whose legal name is Duane Chapman, as he and his family navigate a deeply personal tragedy. TMZ reported on Sunday, July 20, that the 13-year-old grandson of Dog’s wife, Francie, has died after a gun accident.
According to the report, “sources with direct knowledge” told TMZ that Francie’s son, Greggory Zecca, accidentally shot his teenage son. The outlet says the incident took place on the night of July 20 at Zecca’s apartment in Naples, FL.
Francie married Dog in 2021, according to People. Zecca is her son from a previous marriage, making the 13-year-old decedent Dog’s step-grandson.
TMZ says a representative of the family gave the outlet a statement which reads, “We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible tragic accident and would ask for continued prayers as we grieve the loss of our beloved grandson, Anthony.”
Zecca is a podcaster and small business owner, according to his Instagram bio. His account appears to have recently been deleted from the platform.
Dog Received Love from Fans After the Sudden Family Loss
Several fans took to the comments of Dog’s latest Instagram post, a video of him thanking his followers for subscribing to his livestream channel, to send their best wishes after the tragedy.
One wrote, “Sorry Dog and Francie about the death of your grandson,” adding a broken-hearted emoji.
Another person said, “So sorry DOG.”
“Heard about your grandson. So sorry, Dog,” wrote another fan.
A fourth fan kept their remarks short but sweet, writing, “Love you, Dog!!”
As of publishing on July 21, Dog has not said anything on social media about the incident.
Francie Frane Previously Spoke Out About Dealing With Grief
The death of Francie’s grandson isn’t the first time Dog and his wife have experienced the loss of someone close. In 2019, Dog’s previous wife, Beth Chapman, died after a battle with throat cancer that lasted around two years. Francie also lost her previous husband to cancer around the same time.
People says the A&E star met Francie Frane the next year, through a chance occurrence in which Dog reached her by phone while attempting to contact her late husband, Bob, who died six months before Beth did. The outlet says the pair helped each other grieve, citing an interview Frane gave to ET in which she explained, “We could cry with each other and talk about what we were feeling. … It brought us together in this amazing way.”
Francie has also talked about turning to her faith during hard times. She captioned a May 2022 Instagram post, “When weâre willing to give GOD our hearts in the midst of our greatest tragedy, the out come is LOVE & HAPPINESS â¤ï¸ Trust HIM in the middle of wherever You are right now . HE wonât let You down.”
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