Dog the Bounty Hunter's Stepson Faces Life Imprisonment — Details

It started as an ordinary night that spiraled into something unthinkable. Now, months later, the truth behind what happened is coming into devastating focus.

For Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman's family, the past year has been marked by grief, questions, and growing scrutiny. This week, those questions finally collided with serious criminal charges.

What Happened Behind Closed Doors

According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred on July 19, 2025, inside a home on Sumter Grove Way in Naples, Florida.

Investigators say Duane's stepson and grandson were spending the evening together, watching a UFC fight on television.

What unfolded next, authorities allege, was a series of reckless decisions that ended in tragedy. Alcohol, marijuana, and a firearm were all allegedly part of the scene.

A Night of Dangerous Choices

Detectives determined that Duane's stepson, Gregory Zecca, 39, had been drinking for several hours at a local establishment before purchasing additional alcohol.

Authorities say he later used both alcohol and marijuana at a friend's residence. Inside the home, Gregory allegedly handled a firearm repeatedly in the presence of his 13-year-old son.

Investigators say he practiced drawing the weapon from his waistband and dry-firing it, behavior they described as profoundly unsafe.

When Safety Measures Failed

At first, the firearm had been rendered safe. Deputies say the magazine was removed, and a live round was cleared from the chamber.

But at some point, investigators allege, the magazine was reinserted, and a round was chambered. Moments later, a single shot was fired. That bullet fatally struck his son, Anthony.

What Deputies Noticed at the Scene

When deputies arrived, they smelled alcohol on Gregory and observed marijuana in plain view. Detectives later obtained search warrants for medical records and a blood draw.

A toxicology expert independently analyzed the samples. The expert estimated Gregory's blood-alcohol concentration to be approximately 0.116, well above Florida's legal limit of 0.08. The toxicologist concluded Gregory was impaired by alcohol at the time of the incident.

Inside the Sheriff's Review

"This was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy," Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in a statement released by the sheriff's office.

He added, "Our detectives conducted an exhaustive and thorough investigation, examining every element of what happened through witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, search warrants, and more," he continued. "I commend their hard work and professionalism in uncovering the facts in an incredibly difficult case."

The Arrest That Changed Everything

Based on that investigation, Gregory was arrested on a CCSO warrant. Authorities charged him with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence. Until this point, many details of the case had remained private. The severity of the charges now reveals just how grave investigators believe the situation was.

The Detail That Raises the Stakes

Here is the part that makes this case especially chilling. The aggravated manslaughter charge carries a potential penalty of life in prison under Florida law. That means Gregory could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted. For a family already living in the public eye, the legal consequences are as staggering as the loss itself.

A Warning From Law Enforcement

"This case underscores that devastating tragedy that can result from mixing firearms, alcohol, and drugs," the sheriff said. "Our hearts are with everyone affected by this loss."

The sheriff's office emphasized that the shooting was not an accident in the traditional sense, but the result of choices investigators say never should have been made.

Gregory now faces a long legal road ahead as the case moves through the court system. Prosecutors have not yet announced how they plan to proceed.

What remains undeniable is that a child lost his life, a family was shattered, and a single moment of negligence may carry consequences that last forever.

As the legal case begins to unfold, the focus now shifts to the profoundly personal fallout for Duane and his wife, Francie Frane, who are quietly grieving the unimaginable loss of their grandson at the center of this tragedy.

Duane and his wife, Francie Frane, are mourning the death of Anthony, whose passing has left the family heartbroken. The loss has reverberated through their lives, placing an intensely personal spotlight on a situation already under public scrutiny.

TMZ reported that the incident took place Saturday night (July 19, 2025) at an apartment in Naples, Florida. Law enforcement responded to a call about the shooting around 8 p.m. ET. At the time, no arrests had been made, and authorities had categorized the case as an "isolated incident."

The couple, through a representative, issued a statement to TMZ that read, "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." They have asked for privacy during this period of mourning.

Anthony was not only a beloved grandson but a frequent presence in Duane and Francie's public life. Over the years, Francie shared glimpses of their bond on social media, including moments celebrating birthdays, family outings, and everyday joy.

Gregory works with Duane on his bounty-hunting team, alongside his daughter, Lyssa. Following the incident, Gregory deactivated his Instagram account, which previously appeared under the handle @zeccagreg.

Just over a year ago, in June 2023, Francie shared a sweet photograph of Anthony on Instagram. In the image, Anthony is seen smiling next to her in front of a large wine display. She captioned the photo, "Birthday Dinner With One Of My Favorites Boys."

In the second image, shared in July 2023, Anthony poses cheerfully with both Francie and Duane. The caption read, "The Boy Is 11 Today & We're On Our Way To Bush Gardens For Birthday Fun!!!"

The family had also publicly celebrated Anthony's faith. In June 2024, the boy appeared in a segment of "Fearless Friday with Francie," where he shared two personal experiences that he said were moments of spiritual intervention.

Anthony recounted a time when Francie's ankle was believed to be broken, but doctors later declared it healed. He said that while waiting with Duane in the hospital, he felt a gust of wind pass through — a moment he believed was the Holy Spirit.

The same sensation occurred again while he was in the room next to Francie. Soon after, doctors shared that her condition had improved.

In another account, Anthony told Francie that a boy at school who had previously identified as an atheist became a Christian after hearing Anthony's stories about God. The boy told Anthony that God and Jesus had revealed themselves to him, and they later started a group chat to regularly discuss Bible stories and verses.

A month later, in July 2024, Francie and Duane posted a lighthearted video featuring Anthony. The clip showed the three sitting in the backseat of a car, singing and laughing together.

The video was captioned, "Happy Monday!!!! We had the best weekend celebrating our grandson Anthony at the @usnavyblueangels event for his birthday!!!! Here's what being on the road looks like with Memaw and Grandpa."

The devastating loss of Anthony adds another painful chapter to the lives of Duane and Francie, both of whom have previously experienced deep personal loss.

Duane's late wife, Beth Chapman, died on June 26, 2019, at the age of 51, following a battle with cancer. On the morning of her passing, he shared a tribute on X, writing, "It's 5:32 in Hawaii, this is the time she would wake up to go hike Koko Head mountain. Only today, she hiked the stairway to heaven. We all love you, Beth. See you on the other side."

According to a representative for the family, Beth died at exactly 5:32 a.m. while surrounded by family, with Duane by her side, holding her hand.

Beth's passing came days after she was placed in a medically induced coma at Queen's Medical Center in Hawaii on June 22, 2019. At the time, Duane had asked the public to "please say your prayers for Beth right now," describing the situation as "quite serious."

Her cancer journey began with a stage II throat cancer diagnosis in September 2017, and though she underwent surgery to remove a tumor, her recovery remained difficult.

Beth spoke candidly about her battle in November 2017, "I knew I couldn't let it take me over. I had to keep moving, every day, moving forward." She expressed belief in the power of prayer, while Duane often referred to her as tough and strong throughout the ordeal.

Following Beth's death, Duane publicly grieved and initially said he would never marry again. However, his life took a turn when he met Francie. In September 2021, the two were married in Colorado.

Francie, who also lost her spouse, Bob, to cancer just six months before Beth passed, had undergone a similar grief. Their shared experiences of loss formed the foundation of their bond.

Francie and Duane have openly discussed how their connection began. Francie had never heard of "Dog the Bounty Hunter" until a friend suggested she and Duane meet, just two days after Beth's passing.

At the time, Francie dismissed the idea. Months later, Duane contacted her late husband's number for excavation work, not knowing Bob had died.

Francie returned the call and soon learned she was speaking to the television personality. The phone call revealed their shared grief, leading to further conversations and eventually, a relationship.

Their romance included mutual support and emotional healing. When Duane asked Francie out, she agreed on one condition: "Yeah, if you go to church." During an emotional church service, the two held hands, a moment that marked the beginning of their journey together.

Duane later said that there "couldn't have been a better pick that God picked" for him, and he "knew right away this was love." Francie shared that they were able to help each other "stand up" through their pain, adding, "We could cry with each other and talk about what we were feeling."

Leading up to their wedding, the couple planned a heartfelt ceremony that paid tribute to their late spouses. Francie confirmed they would honor Beth and Bob in their vows and throughout their life together.

Their celebration included personalized touches — from a bling-covered wedding dress to a multi-flavor cake. Francie and Duane each selected a cake tier of their choosing, despite not sharing the same taste. The reception, held at the same location, was planned as a lively event with dancing and close family and friends in attendance.

Together, Francie and Duane have continued to keep the memories of Beth and Bob alive, acknowledging their death anniversaries and embracing traditions from their past. During his interview with ET in September 2020, Duane remarked, "Beth, I'm glad you provided me with Francie because that wasn't on my list."

The tragic loss of Anthony has brought renewed sorrow to a family already familiar with grief. For Duane and Francie, who found strength in shared loss and built a life rooted in remembrance and resilience, this new heartbreak marks another difficult chapter.

As they mourn the death of their grandson, they continue to navigate life together, carrying the weight of past and present pain with the same unity that first brought them together.

In the end, this case leaves behind far more than court dates and charges. It leaves a family forever changed, memories frozen in happier moments, and a young life gone far too soon.

As the legal process continues, Duane and Francie remain focused on grieving privately, leaning on faith, and holding tight to the love that first brought them together through loss.