The family of William Chapman has paid tribute to their son as a bright, warm and engaging young man following his death in a tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. Chapman, who was 24, died on Saturday 10 October 2026 after climbing over two fences and entering the enclosure of an Amur tiger named Altai.

An inquest opening at Doncaster Coroner’s Court on 15 October heard that Chapman died from multiple traumatic injuries caused by the interaction with the animal. Senior Coroner Nicola Mundy noted that he had a history of mental illness, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia and previous episodes of psychosis. His family had expressed concerns about his contact with mental health services in the period leading up to his death. The full inquest has been adjourned until 18 March 2027.

In a statement released shortly after the incident, Chapman’s family described their devastation and asked the public to respect the coroner’s process. They also appealed for privacy, saying the widespread sharing of graphic footage and images of the attack was causing them severe distress at an already difficult time. The family said they hoped authorities would thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding what happened.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Chapman wearing headphones and pacing near the enclosure before he went inside. Mobile phone footage believed to have been recorded by Chapman himself shows him approaching the tiger across a grᴀssy area. South Yorkshire Police confirmed that specialist officers are supporting the family.

City of Doncaster Council, which licenses the park, launched a health and safety investigation. Yorkshire Wildlife Park closed immediately after the incident and evacuated visitors. The park reopened to the public on Friday 16 October, six days later, following discussions with the relevant authorities. Staff confirmed that Altai remains in the enclosure, is uninjured, and will not be euthanised. The park stated that the welfare of the animal, visitors and staff continues to be a priority.

Chapman had appeared in television productions as a child, including the ITV series May Contain Nuts and the BBC series True Stories. His former stage school remembered him fondly as someone who grew both as a person and as a performer. Neighbours described him as polite, well-spoken and someone who enjoyed talking about Formula 1.

Footage of the attack circulated widely on social media. US President Donald Trump was among those who shared the video, prompting further statements from the family about the pain caused by its distribution. Local officials, including South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, urged people not to speculate and to respect the family’s wishes.

Floral tributes were left at the park entrance in the days after the tragedy. The formal investigation into how Chapman was able to enter the enclosure, along with the coroner’s inquiry and the review of his mental health care, remain ongoing.

Sources : BBC News