Leanne Kaun, also known as Leanne Kaun Goggins, was the first wife of famous actor Walton Goggins. While Walton is well-known for his roles in Justified, The Shield, and Django Unchained, Leanne lived a quiet life away from the spotlight. Most people may know her as Walton’s wife, but there is so much more to her story. Leanne was a loving woman, passionate about animals, and had her own struggles and triumphs. Her life, though marked by a tragic end, holds many lessons about love, loss, and resilience.
In this article, we will dive into Leanne’s early life, her career, her relationship with Walton, and the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding her untimely death. Let’s take a closer look at the life of Leanne Kaun Goggins.
Leanne Kaun Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leanne Kaun Goggins (born Leanne Knight) |
| Born | 1967 |
| Died | November 12, 2004 |
| Age at Death | 37 years old |
| Place of Birth | New Brunswick, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Father | Robert Brian “Bob” Knight |
| Mother | Peggy Kaun |
| Siblings | 1 (Brother: Jason “Jay” Knight) |
| Spouse | Walton Goggins (married in 2001, separated in 2004) |
| Profession | Dog Trainer, Dog-Walking Business Owner |
| Notable Work | Canyon Dog Walking (Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles) |
| Cause of Death | Fall from a 17th-floor building (suspected suicide) |
Leanne Kaun’s Early Life
Leanne was born in 1967 in New Brunswick, Canada. She was the daughter of Robert Brian “Bob” Knight and Peggy Kaun. Leanne had one sibling, a brother named Jay. Growing up, Leanne faced some health challenges. She was born with jaundice, a condition that turned her skin and eyes yellow. This led to frequent infections and caused her to miss school often.
Despite these challenges, Leanne worked hard and completed her education. She was able to overcome her health issues and live a full life, even though it was not always easy. As a child, she had a lot of love and support from her family, especially her mother, Peggy. Later in life, Leanne would go on to build a successful career, but her early years were filled with medical struggles that shaped her strong character.
Leanne’s Love for Animals
From a young age, Leanne Kaun had a deep love for animals. However, due to her health condition, she wasn’t allowed to have pets as a child. Despite this, Leanne’s love for animals never faded. As she grew older and her health improved, she finally had the chance to pursue her passion.
Leanne became a professional dog trainer. She started her own dog-walking business, Canyon Dog Walking, in the beautiful Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles. Her business quickly grew, and she became known in the community for her dedication to animals. Leanne not only walked dogs but also helped train them, focusing on improving their behavior and well-being. Her clients trusted her with their beloved pets, and she took great pride in providing them with the best care.
Leanne’s Meeting with Walton Goggins
Leanne Kaun met Walton Goggins in 1999 while he was filming Shanghai Noon in Canada. Their connection was immediate, and they quickly started dating. Walton, already known for his acting talent, fell in love with Leanne’s kind heart and love for animals. After dating for about a year, the two got married in 2001.
Leanne’s life in Canada soon changed as she moved to Los Angeles to live with Walton. Their love story seemed like a fairytale at first. They were a happy couple, and Leanne even became a part of Walton’s world, supporting him in his career and building a life together.
Leanne’s New Chapter
When Leanne Kaun moved to Los Angeles, she embraced her new life with Walton, but it wasn’t long before she started feeling out of place. Life in Los Angeles was very different from what she had known back in Canada. She missed her family and the quiet lifestyle of her hometown. Over time, the busy city life and Walton’s demanding acting career created tension between them.
Leanne began to feel isolated. She struggled with the fast-paced life in Los Angeles and felt disconnected from the world she had left behind in Canada. This unhappiness, combined with Walton’s busy work schedule, began to strain their relationship. Leanne Kaun wished to return to Canada, but her life in LA with Walton made it difficult to make that decision.
Leanne’s Successful Career
Despite the challenges she faced in her personal life, Leanne found success in her career. She was passionate about animals, and her career as a dog trainer flourished. Starting her dog-walking business in Canyon Dog Walking was the perfect way for Leanne to turn her love for animals into a fulfilling career.
Her business grew, and she became well-known in the Laurel Canyon area. Leanne was also known for her work as a professional dog trainer. She offered advice on dog health and behavior, and many clients trusted her expertise. One of her notable clients was Liberty, the mascot dog of Canyon News, a weekly newspaper in Beverly Hills, California. Leanne’s hard work and dedication to animals made her a trusted name in the pet care industry.
The Struggles in Leanne and Walton’s Marriage
Like many couples, Leanne Kaun and Walton faced their fair share of struggles. Walton’s career in acting was demanding, and his busy schedule kept him away from home for long periods of time. This caused a lot of strain in their marriage. Leanne, feeling increasingly unhappy, found herself at odds with Walton over their future.
Leanne wasn’t happy living in Los Angeles, and she longed to return to her roots in Canada. Walton’s demanding career, combined with the couple’s emotional distance, caused tension. Their once happy and loving relationship began to unravel. While they shared a deep bond, the pressures of their lifestyles made it hard to maintain their connection.
Leanne Kaun’s Divorce
After three years of marriage, the couple separated. Leanne Kaun made the difficult decision to file for divorce. It’s clear that the challenges of their relationship, combined with their different lifestyles, led to the breakdown of their marriage. Walton and Leanne stopped communicating, and Leanne filed for divorce before her tragic death.
Though they separated, their divorce was never finalized. Leanne passed away before the paperwork could be completed. This left many questions unanswered about their relationship and the future they might have had together. The divorce, combined with her tragic death, added to the sadness and complexity of Leanne’s story.
Leanne Kaun’s Tragic Death
Leanne’s story ended in a heartbreaking way. On November 12, 2004, she tragically passed away after falling from the 17th floor of a building in Los Angeles. This incident shocked many people, especially Walton, who had been separated from her at the time.
The police investigation found no signs of foul play, and it was believed that Leanne’s death was self-inflicted. She had been battling chronic depression for some time, which likely played a role in her tragic decision. Her death came shortly after she had filed for divorce from Walton, adding more sadness and confusion to the situation.
Leanne Kaun was just 37 years old when she passed away, and her death left a deep impact on everyone who knew her.
Walton Goggins’ Grief and Healing
Walton Goggins was devastated by the loss of Leanne. In interviews, he has spoken openly about how her death affected him. He explained that he struggled deeply for several years after her passing. He said, “I drifted for upwards of three years after that. It took me a really long time to come back from it.”
To cope with his grief, Walton traveled around the world, visiting places like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. He tried to find healing through new experiences, but it was hard for him to move on. Walton admitted that if it hadn’t been for the support of his family and friends, he wasn’t sure how he would have gotten through it.
Despite the pain, Walton eventually found a way to keep going, and he credits the people around him for helping him heal.
Leanne Kaun’s Funeral and Burial
Leanne’s funeral took place on November 19, 2004, just a few days after her death. The service was held at the Hollywood Funeral Home, located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles. This was a private event, with close family and friends in attendance.
Leanne Kaun was laid to rest in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at the Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery. Though she lived much of her life in Los Angeles, her roots in Canada remained strong, and this peaceful resting place reflected that connection. Walton Goggins, still dealing with his grief, later shared that the memory of Leanne continued to affect him deeply, even years after her death.
Leanne’s Legacy: A Quiet Influence
Though Leanne Kaun didn’t seek fame or recognition, she left behind a meaningful legacy. She was known for her deep love of animals and her success as a dog trainer. Her business, Canyon Dog Walking, became popular, and she was well-regarded for her kindness and professionalism.
Leanne’s legacy lives on through the impact she had on the animals she cared for and the people she worked with. She will always be remembered as someone who dedicated her life to helping animals and who faced personal struggles with quiet strength.
Her story reminds us that even those who live quietly and away from the spotlight can have a profound impact on others. Leanne’s love for animals and her hard work continue to inspire those who knew her.
Walton Goggins’ Life After Leanne
After Leanne’s death, Walton Goggins took some time to heal and reflect on his life. In 2011, he remarried filmmaker Nadia Conners, who is known for her environmental work and documentary films. Together, they have a son named Augustus, who was born in February 2011, just before they got married.
Walton has continued to find success in his career, starring in numerous films and TV shows. However, he has also openly shared how Leanne’s death shaped him and his approach to life. In interviews, Walton has spoken about the emotional toll her loss took on him and how he has grown since then.
While his life has moved forward, the memory of Leanne remains an important part of his journey.
Final Thoughts
Leanne Kaun’s life may not have been filled with the public fame of her husband, but her story is one worth remembering. She was a private woman who loved animals and worked hard to build a career doing what she loved. Her tragic death reminds us of the silent struggles that many face, and how important it is to recognize and support those around us.
Leanne’s life was not just defined by her marriage to Walton Goggins, but by her kindness, dedication to animals, and the personal battles she faced. Her legacy is one of love, resilience, and quiet strength, and it continues to live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
(FAQs)
How did Leanne Kaun die?
Leanne Kauntragically passed away on November 12, 2004, after falling from the 17th floor of a building in Los Angeles. Her death was believed to be self-inflicted, and she had been struggling with chronic depression at the time. She had also filed for divorce from Walton Goggins shortly before her death.
What was Leanne Kaun’s career?
Leanne Ka un was a professional dog trainer. She started a dog-walking business called Canyon Dog Walking in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles. Her business grew successfully, and she was well-loved by her clients for her care and dedication to animals.
When did Leanne Kaun meet Walton Goggins?
Leanne met Walton Goggins in 1999 while he was filming Shanghai Noon in Canada. They began dating soon after and got married in 2001, living together in Los Angeles until their separation in 2004.
What happened to Walton Goggins after Leanne’s death?
After Leanne’s tragic passing, Walton Goggins struggled deeply with grief. He traveled to various countries, including Thailand and Cambodia, to cope with his loss. Walton later remarried filmmaker Nadia Conners in 2011, and they have a son together.
Where is Leanne Kaun Goggins buried?
Leanne Kaun Goggins was laid to rest in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at the Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery. Her funeral service was held at the Hollywood Funeral Home in Los Angeles on November 19, 2004.
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