Duane ‘Dog’ Chapman Responds to Internet Death Hoax: ‘I’m Alive!’
Duane "Dog" Chapman turned to TMZ to set things straight on Wednesday (Nov. 20) after a false story circulated on Facebook claiming that he had died.
The reality TV star shared a "proof of life" photo of himself holding a copy of a current newspaper in one hand, while he holds up a handwritten sign that says "I'm Alive!" in the other.
Chapman took the photo on Tuesday (Nov. 19) and gave it to the tabloid media outlet, which published a story on Wednesday morning clarifying that the famed bounty hunter did not die from a heart attack, as a false story reported.
Chapman recently suffered a pulmonary embolism, and the false story claimed that he had suffered a second one that had proven fatal, citing his grief over his wife Beth's death in June as a cause.
TMZ reports that a number of fans were fooled by the story and began posting condolences to Chapman's social media, mourning his death, and members of his team even reached out to him to make sure he was okay. Chapman posted his thanks a bit later in the day, clarifying that he was feeling fine and had been working out.
Chapman says he's actually been trying to take better care of his health after suffering a "heart emergency" in early September. He's changed his diet and begun taking blood thinners, and is working on breaking his smoking habit.
Chapman has admitted that he contemplated suicide after Beth died following a two-year battle with cancer. His new show, Dog's Most Wanted, documented his wife's journey, and in the season finale on Nov. 6, he said he didn't want to live now that she was gone.
"I just hope that I don’t live very much longer without her, because now she made the first step, she’s through the gate," he stated. "I want to take a god---m pain pill so bad. I feel like if I did something to myself right now and passed away suicidal and I got to heaven and was like, 'Hi honey,' and would she go, 'You dumb--s, why would you do that?' Or would she go, 'Wow, you’re here.' I’ll be like 'Of course I’m here. You left me. I’m here.' So, am I obligated to do that?"
Beth Chapman's Last Words Were Gracious, Caring:
Country Stars Who've Battled Cancer: