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Lyssa Chapman

Lyssa Rae Chapman, born June 10, 1987, in Denver, Colorado, is an American businesswoman, author, television personality, and former bail bondswoman and , best known as the ninth child of renowned Duane "Dog" Chapman and for her role on the A&E reality series . The daughter of and his third wife, Lyssa Rae Brittain, whom he married in 1982 and divorced in 1991, Chapman grew up in a large family with 11 siblings and half-siblings, including brothers Leland and Duane Lee Chapman, who also appeared on the family’s television show. At age 18, she became the youngest licensed bail bondsperson in and joined starting in its second season in 2005, participating in bounty hunts and contributing to the show's eight-season run from 2004 to 2012. In 2013, she published her memoir Walking on Eggshells: Discovering Strength and Courage Amid Chaos, co-authored with Lisa Wysocky, which details her challenging upbringing, experiences in the family business, and personal growth. Chapman became a mother at 15 to her first daughter, Abbie Mae Chapman, born in 2002, and later had a second daughter, Madalynn Grace Galanti, with her first husband, Brahman "Bo" Galanti, whom she married in 2009 and divorced in 2011. She married her second spouse, Leiana Evensen, in a private ceremony on June 3, 2022, in , attended by close family including her daughters and Evensen's parents. Transitioning from bounty hunting, Chapman launched the activewear brand Baby by Lyssa Chapman in 2019 and co-founded the nonprofit "Lost Never Forgotten" to aid in locating trafficking victims; she also obtained a new bail bond license in 2024. In 2021, she quit alcohol and has maintained sobriety since then, and has since shared health and wellness content on while maintaining a reconciled relationship with her father despite past family tensions.

Early life

Family background

Lyssa Rae Chapman was born on June 10, 1987, at General Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She is the daughter of Duane "Dog" Chapman, a bounty hunter and television personality, and his third wife, Lyssa Rae Brittain (née Greene), whom he married on June 22, 1982, and with whom he divorced on November 20, 1991. As the ninth of twelve children born to across his relationships, Lyssa shares full siblings Barbara Katie Chapman (born 1982) and Tucker Dee Chapman (born 1983) with her mother, while her half-siblings from her father's other marriages include Duane Lee Chapman Jr. (born 1973) and Leland Blane Chapman (born 1976), both of whom have followed in their father's footsteps in the bounty hunting profession. The Chapman 's nomadic lifestyle was shaped by Duane's work as a and , which often involved frequent relocations.

Childhood experiences

Chapman, born in 1987 as the ninth of twelve children to Duane "" Chapman and Lyssa Rae Brittain, experienced a childhood marked by frequent relocations driven by her father's career. The moved across various states in pursuit of bonds opportunities, eventually settling in in the early 2000s to establish Da Kine Bonds in , which disrupted her sense of stability and normalcy. From a young age, Chapman was exposed to the family's bounty hunting business, witnessing arrests and participating in operations as a teenager, which immersed her in a world of high-stakes pursuits and familial involvement in the trade. This early immersion fostered her interest in the profession, culminating in her becoming the youngest licensed bail bond agent in at age 18. Chapman's youth was further complicated by personal hardships, including a chaotic home environment stemming from her parents' , her father's addiction, and her mother's , which left her feeling neglected and emotionally challenged. In her Walking on Eggshells, she describes instances of mental and , domestic instability, and early exposure to drugs and , contributing to a cycle of that included a false accusation of rape against her father at age 11—stemming from her own molestation by a family acquaintance—and subsequent removal from school and confinement at home. These experiences, detailed in interviews, highlight the emotional toll of growing up amid parental substance issues and family dysfunction.

Professional career

Bounty hunting and bail bonds work

Lyssa Chapman entered the family bail bonds business early in her adulthood, becoming a licensed bail bondswoman at the age of 18, which made her the youngest such licensee in at the time. She began working at Da Kine Bail Bonds, the family-owned company based in , where she handled bonding operations and supported fugitive recovery efforts. At 19, she obtained her license, allowing her to actively participate in apprehensions. In her role, Chapman assisted family members in tracking and capturing fugitives who had skipped , often conducting stakeouts, gathering intelligence, and executing arrests in high-risk situations across . Her contributions included supporting operations that required quick decision-making and physical involvement, drawing from her early exposure to the profession during childhood alongside her father, Duane "Dog" Chapman. Representative cases from her early career involved pursuing local defendants in and surrounding areas, emphasizing teamwork in navigating urban and rural terrains to ensure compliance with conditions. Chapman's active involvement in bounty hunting and bail bonds spanned from the early 2000s through the mid-2010s, primarily focused on Hawaii-based cases handled through Bail Bonds. During this period, she built practical expertise in the field, contributing to the family's operations for approximately eight years while managing the demands of a fast-paced environment. She eventually stepped back from full-time bounty hunting in the mid-2010s to prioritize family responsibilities, particularly as a raising her two daughters, Abbie and Madalynn. This transition allowed her to focus on providing stability for her children and pursuing other professional opportunities, marking a shift away from the high-stakes demands of fugitive . In 2024, Chapman obtained a new bail bond license, indicating a return to the .

Television involvement

Lyssa Chapman, known on screen as "Baby Lyssa," served as a regular cast member on the A&E series , which aired from 2004 to 2012. She first joined the show during its second season in 2005, initially appearing as a troubled teenager alongside her young daughter, and gradually took on more prominent roles within the family's bounty hunting operations. Throughout her tenure, Chapman handled administrative duties at the Chapman family's Bail Bonds office in , such as managing paperwork and client interactions, while also participating in field operations, including tracking and apprehending fugitives. Her contributions extended to over 100 episodes across seasons 2 through 8, where she demonstrated bounty hunting skills in high-stakes pursuits. Chapman's on-screen presence added a layer of youthful energy and raw family dynamics to the series, which often highlighted interpersonal tensions and growth within the Chapman household. This authenticity resonated with audiences, helping to build the show's popularity by portraying her evolution from personal challenges to a capable team member, and earning her a dedicated fan base, particularly among younger viewers who viewed her as an inspirational figure. Filming the high-adrenaline hunts presented logistical challenges, including coordinating with and managing unpredictable real-time events under camera scrutiny. Beyond the original series, Chapman made guest appearances in the spin-off Dog and Beth: On the Hunt on CMT, including a notable role in Season 2, Episode 16, titled "Birthday Special Part 1," which focused on family celebrations. She also featured in occasional cameos within family-related specials tied to the Chapman clan's media projects. Her television involvement diminished after the cancellation of in 2012, as the transitioned away from regular bounty hunting-themed programming amid shifting personal priorities.

Entrepreneurship and writing

In 2013, Lyssa Chapman co-authored the Walking on Eggshells: Discovering Strength and Courage Amid Chaos with Lisa Wysocky, published by Howard Books, an imprint of . The memoir chronicles her journey through childhood , dysfunction, and personal hardships, emphasizing themes of , self-discovery, and breaking cycles of to achieve emotional strength. It received positive reception for its candid portrayal of overcoming adversity, with reviewers noting its inspirational value for readers facing similar challenges. Building on her public profile from television, Chapman transitioned into by launching the online BABY by Lyssa Chapman in late 2019. The line specializes in casual women's apparel, including activewear and lounge sets, designed for busy, on-the-go lifestyles and reflecting her personal style influenced by living. Targeted at empowering women through comfortable, versatile pieces, the operates primarily through and has expanded to include seasonal collections that blend everyday functionality with island-inspired aesthetics. Chapman has also engaged in motivational speaking engagements, where she shares insights from her life experiences to encourage audiences on topics like personal growth and . Complementing this, she maintains an active presence focused on Hawaii-based content, promoting wellness, family values, and entrepreneurial tips to her followers. As of 2025, Chapman resides on O'ahu, where she continues to prioritize family-oriented business initiatives, including the ongoing development of her apparel line and related advocacy efforts.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Lyssa Chapman's romantic history includes several notable partnerships that evolved over time. Early in her adulthood, she had relationships that were kept relatively private, reflecting her transition from heterosexual to same-sex partnerships later in life. Her first prominent marriage was to "" Galanti, whom she began dating in 2006 during the height of her family's reality television show . The couple's courtship gained public attention through episodes of the series, which captured family dynamics and personal milestones. They married on February 20, 2009, in a beach ceremony on , Hawaii, attended by family members including her father, Duane "Dog" Chapman, who walked her down the aisle. The marriage lasted approximately two years, ending in filed in 2011 amid allegations of . Galanti later faced issues with . Following her , Chapman's shifted notably toward same-sex relationships, with her partnership with Leiana Evensen beginning around 2016. The couple went public with their relationship in 2018 through posts and engagement announcements, marking Chapman's open identification as part of the LGBTQ+ community. They married on June 3, 2022, in a private ceremony in the off , officiated by Chapman's "Uncle David" and attended by close family members, including Evensen's parents and Chapman's daughters. Her father, though supportive of the union, was unable to attend due to prior commitments.

Family and children

Lyssa Chapman is the mother of two daughters. Her eldest, Abbie Mae Chapman, was born on June 11, 2002, in , from an early relationship when Chapman was 15 years old. Her younger daughter, Madalynn Grace Galanti, was born on August 7, 2009, in , , during her marriage to Brahman "Bo" Galanti. Both daughters were raised primarily in , where the family relocated for Chapman's work with Da Kine Bail Bonds and the filming of . Chapman's parenting approach emphasizes creating a stable environment for her children, in contrast to her own tumultuous upbringing amid the family's bounty hunting lifestyle. Following her 2011 from Galanti, she has maintained co-parenting arrangements focused on her daughters' well-being, allowing them to maintain relationships with their father while prioritizing a consistent home life in . In her current family life, Chapman resides on with her wife, Leiana Evensen, whom she married in a ceremony on June 3, 2022; Evensen serves as a supportive to Abbie and Madalynn. The blended family engages in activities such as bonding over watching , reflecting their shared media background. Chapman maintains close ties with her extended Chapman family, including ongoing support for her father, Duane "Dog" Chapman, during his health challenges, such as FaceTiming him from her and providing updates during his hospitalization.

Legal and health challenges

In March 2011, Lyssa Chapman was arrested in , , on charges of criminal and following a domestic disturbance involving her then-estranged husband, Brahman "Bo" Galanti. Police responded to reports of Chapman kicking and breaking a at a residence, after which she allegedly slapped a cell phone from an officer's hand while attempting to record the incident. The misdemeanor charges were formally filed in April 2011, but no conviction resulted. Nearly a decade later, in January 2020, Chapman faced another arrest in , charged with two counts of and one count of after an altercation with police officers during a response to a disturbance call. She was released on $600 and, in March 2021, entered a no-contest to the charges as part of a deferral agreement; upon completing six months without further incidents, the charges were dismissed, avoiding jail time. These events, along with minor unreported incidents linked to family bail bond operations, were resolved without lasting convictions, often through or diversion programs. Chapman's health challenges have centered on issues, including and anxiety, which she attributes to longstanding family trauma and an unstable childhood marked by parental and . In her 2013 , Walking on Eggshells: Discovering Strength and Courage Amid Chaos, she recounts how these struggles intensified during periods of personal turmoil, such as her marital difficulties, leading to and self-doubt. Recovery came through professional , embracing , and adopting healthier lifestyle changes after relocating permanently to , where she focused on rebuilding stability and supporting her family. These hurdles, occurring as her immediate family dynamics shifted, prompted deeper reflection on intergenerational patterns but ultimately fostered her without severely straining close relationships.

References

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