'Dog the Bounty Hunter' is 'mourning the death' of beloved wife Beth Chapman

"Dog the Bounty Hunter" star Duane Chapman honored his late wife in his first public interview since the passing of Beth Chapman after her battle with throat cancer.

The reality star, who was born Duane Chapman, told local Hawaii News Now Wednesday: "You kind of try to remember that you’re celebrating life, but right now we’re mourning the death."

Chapman also said he was moved and grateful for the "millions" of well wishes online after the loss of his wife.

Beth Chapman died early Wednesday after battling cancer for two years. She was 51.

"It’s 5:32 in Hawaii, this is the time she would wake up to go hike Koko Head mountain," Chapman wrote in a tweet. "Only today, she hiked the stairway to heaven. We all love you, Beth. See you on the other side."

Hours after her death, Chapman, trying not to choke up, said: “For a few years we knew this day would come."

"It came really unexpected, really fast," he added. "All of her clothes are exactly where they were, her make-up, everything. We didn’t prepare.”

Chapman had to repeatedly take a step back to hold back the tears on what must have been the hardest day of his life.

"She fought hard," he said.

He remembered his wife as somewhat controlling, joking: "From heaven, I'm sure she's still controlling me."

He added that he's found notes on his pillow case, in his sink, "She's still telling me what to wear."

"I loved her so much," he said. "I hope there is a God and if there is, I'm gonna see my honey again."

Chapman said that they will mourn her at "home" in Hawaii, then do something to remember her life in her native Colorado.