What Really Happened to La Fonda Sue Honeycutt After Divorcing Duane Chapman?

Many people know Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman from TV. But not many know about his first wife, La Fonda Sue Honeycutt. She’s not in the spotlight, and she likes it that way. But her story is filled with love, heartbreak, strength, and peace.

So, what really happened to her after she left Dog the Bounty Hunter? Let’s go back to the beginning and follow her journey step by step.

La Fonda Sue Honeycutt Quick Bio

Who Is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt?

La Fonda Sue Honeycutt is best known as the first wife of Duane Chapman, also called Dog the Bounty Hunter. But she is much more than just someone’s ex-wife. She is a mother, a wife, and a woman who chose a quiet life over fame.

She was born on January 20, 1953, in Pampa, Texas. She grew up in a big, loving family with strong values. Her parents, Glenn and Elwanda Honeycutt, raised her in a small town where family and community mattered. La Fonda went to Pampa High School and graduated in 1971.

Back then, she lived a normal life just like any other small-town girl. No one could have guessed that she would marry a man who would later become one of the most famous bounty hunters in America.

How She Met Duane Chapman

La Fonda met Duane Chapman in a way that feels like a movie. She was visiting her brother, who was a police officer, and they went to a shopping mall. That’s where Duane saw her for the first time. In his own words, he couldn’t stop looking at her.

Duane was bold. Even though he was already seeing another woman at the time, he walked right up to La Fonda and started talking. They clicked quickly. That same day, they went on a date, and the connection between them grew stronger.

From that moment on, their story moved fast. They started dating seriously, and even though Duane had a wild side, La Fonda fell in love. He had a charm that pulled her in. And not long after, they made a big decision.

Marriage to Dog the Bounty Hunter

On April 1, 1972, La Fonda Sue Honeycutt and Duane Chapman got married in Pampa, Texas. It was a happy day. La Fonda believed she was starting a new life full of love and stability.

But life after the wedding was not easy. Duane had a criminal past, which made it hard for him to find steady work. La Fonda worked hard to support them, even taking jobs like working at a local bra factory just to help out. Together, they tried to build a simple life with whatever they had.

At one point, they were offered a deal to buy two houses for just $5,000. It was a great offer, but they didn’t have the money. Still, Duane managed to get a loan, and they became homeowners. It looked like their future was finally taking shape.

La Fonda Sue Honeycutt’s Life as a Mother

La Fonda became a mother at a young age, and it changed her life. In January 1973, she gave birth to their first son, Duane Lee Chapman II. She gave everything to being a good mom and creating a warm, safe home.

Three years later, in December 1976, she welcomed their second son, Leland Chapman. With two young boys, La Fonda had her hands full. But she was proud. Even with little money, she worked hard and made sure her children were loved and cared for.

Duane tried to be a good father, but he still struggled. He wanted to do better for his family, but his past and his choices often got in the way. Through it all, La Fonda stayed strong and focused on her children.

Trouble in the Marriage

From the outside, it looked like things were working. But inside the marriage, there were big problems. Duane had a hard time staying loyal. La Fonda tried to ignore the signs at first, but it was hard.

One day, she saw the truth with her own eyes. She caught Duane in a car with another woman. He had met the woman in a bar, and La Fonda couldn’t believe what she saw. It broke her heart.

That was the moment she packed her bags and left, taking her sons and going back to her mother’s home in Pampa. It wasn’t an easy choice, but she felt betrayed and couldn’t take the pain anymore.

The Crime That Changed Everything

Even after everything, Duane couldn’t forget La Fonda. He followed her to Texas, hoping to fix things. When he got there, he found out she was five months pregnant with their second child. They tried again to make things work for their family.

But in 1976, everything fell apart. One night, Duane went out with friends. One of those friends shot and killed a man during a robbery. Duane didn’t pull the trigger, but he was the one driving the car. That made him part of the crime.

Soon, Duane’s name was all over the news. He was arrested and later sentenced to 5 years in prison. La Fonda was once again left alone, now with two small boys and a husband in jail.

La Fonda Sue Honeycutt Divorced Him while he was in Jail

With Duane behind bars and no sign of change, La Fonda made the hardest decision of her life. In October 1977, she filed for divorce while he was still in prison.

She didn’t want her children growing up around chaos and crime. The court gave her full custody of Duane Lee II and Leland. She was ready to move on and create a better future.

Duane later said losing La Fonda was one of his biggest regrets. But for La Fonda, the choice was clear. Her boys needed a stable life, and she was going to give it to them.

La Fonda Sue Honeycutt’s New Journey with Jim Darnell

After her divorce from Duane Chapman, La Fonda Sue Honeycutt didn’t stay alone for long. She found love again with someone very close — her best friend, Jim Darnell. Their bond was built on trust, kindness, and peace, something she truly needed after so much pain.

In 1977, the same year she divorced Duane, La Fonda married Jim. Unlike her first marriage, this one was calm and steady. Jim gave her the quiet life she had always wanted. They didn’t have fame or riches, but they had love, respect, and a strong family.

Together, they welcomed two daughters into their lives — Britney Lynn Darnell and Hannah Dawn Darnell. With four children in total, La Fonda’s heart and home were full again.

Raising Four Kids with Love

La Fonda became a full-time mom. She focused on her children and gave them a home filled with love and care. She didn’t care about money or being on TV. What mattered most to her was raising her kids the right way.

Her two sons, Duane Lee II and Leland, were growing up fast. So were her two daughters. La Fonda worked hard every day to give them a peaceful life. She cooked, cleaned, helped with school, and made sure her children knew they were safe and loved.

She never wanted fame. Even though her ex-husband became a TV star, La Fonda stayed away from the spotlight. Her job was being a great mom, and she did it well.

Her Sons Reconnected with Duane

For many years, La Fonda Sue Honeycutt kept her sons away from Duane. It wasn’t out of anger, but out of care. She didn’t want them around someone with a criminal past.

But as time passed, things changed. When her sons were 11 and 8, La Fonda let them reconnect with their father. Duane wanted to be part of their lives, and she allowed it for the boys’ sake.

Later on, as they reached their teenage years, La Fonda felt she couldn’t guide them alone. She gave custody to Duane, hoping the boys would learn from both parents. It wasn’t an easy decision, but she put her kids first, as always.

Her Grandchildren and Family Today

As the years passed, La Fonda’s family grew even more. Her sons had children of their own, and La Fonda became a grandmother. Some of her grandchildren include:

• Dakota Chapman

• Cobie Chapman

• Leiah Breanna Chapman

• Dylan Chapman

She loves being a grandma. Her grandkids bring her joy, laughter, and so many happy memories. Even though she stays private, family photos show a woman who is proud, loving, and deeply connected to her kids and grandkids.

Today, her children still speak about her with love and respect. They sometimes share sweet stories or post pictures with her. Even though La Fonda is not a public figure, she has a big place in her family’s hearts.

Where Is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt Now?

In 2025, La Fonda Sue Honeycutt is 72 years old. She lives a calm and quiet life in Texas with her husband, Jim Darnell. She doesn’t go to events, doesn’t appear on TV, and doesn’t use social media.

She spends her time with her children and grandchildren. Family is everything to her. She cooks meals, enjoys holidays, and watches her grandkids grow. While Duane Chapman is still in the spotlight, La Fonda stays far from it.

And that’s just how she likes it. She doesn’t need cameras to feel important. She doesn’t need fame to feel fulfilled. She found her own kind of peace — the kind that comes from love, family, and living life on your own terms.

Final Thoughts

The story of La Fonda Sue Honeycutt is quiet but powerful. She was once the wife of Dog the Bounty Hunter, but her life didn’t end there. She went through heartbreak, betrayal, and hard times. But she never gave up.

She raised four amazing children. She found true love again. She built a life full of peace and family. Even in 2025, people still wonder about her — and now you know why.

La Fonda’s life shows that you don’t have to be famous to be strong. Sometimes, the most inspiring people are the ones who choose to live in peace, far away from the noise of the world.

(FAQs)

Who was Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman’s first wife — and who is he married to now?

La Fonda Sue Honeycutt was his first wife, and she divorced him while he was in prison for murder. As of 2025, Duane Chapman is married to Francie Frane, his sixth wife.

What is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt’s nationality and ethnicity?

La Fonda is American and of Caucasian ethnicity. She was born and raised in Pampa, Texas, and still lives in the U.S.

How old is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt now, and when is her birthday?

La Fonda was born on January 20, 1953. As of 2025, she is 72 years old and still living a peaceful life away from fame.

How many children does La Fonda Sue Honeycutt have?

She has four children — two sons (Duane Lee II and Leland Chapman) with Duane Chapman, and two daughters (Britney and Hannah) with her second husband, Jim Darnell.

How tall is La Fonda Sue Honeycutt, and where is she now?

She is around 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall and lives quietly in Texas with her husband Jim. She avoids TV and social media and chooses a life away from the spotlight.

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