Yorkshire tiger latest: Family pay tribute to ‘bright, warm’ child actor William Chapman killed at wildlife park

The family of a man who was fatally wounded by a tiger at a zoo have paid tribute to him, describing him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man”.

William Chapman, who died in the incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday, had “suffered from significant mental illness” his family said in a statement.

"The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened," they said.

The statement continued: “William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.”

Mr Chapman was a former child actor who had appeared in ITV’s May Contain Nuts, alongside Harry Potter actress Shirley Henderson, and in the BBC’s True Stories series, according to IMDB.

His former stage school, Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of the loss of its former student, adding “we loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer”.

City of Doncaster Council said on Monday it had started a health and safety investigation into Mr Chapman’s death.

Recap watch: Visitors evacuate wildlife park after man dies in tiger attack

Bryony Gooch14 October 2026 04:00

Pictured: A photo of William Chapman handed out by his family

Bryony Gooch14 October 2026 03:00

Coroner will have to decide if mental illness played a role in his death, family say

The family of William Chapman have said a coroner will have to decide if mental illness played a part in his death.

A statement released on Tuesday evening said Mr Chapman, who died in a tiger enclosure, suffered from significant mental illness.

His family said: “Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication.

“It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death.

“We would ask everybody to respect that process.”

Bryony Gooch14 October 2026 02:00

Bryony Gooch14 October 2026 01:00

Full statement from William Chapman's family

In a statement, the family of William Chapman said: “William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.

“Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication.

“It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death.

“We would ask everybody to respect that process.

“The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.

“The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did.

“In the meantime, please do not approach the family, their addresses, or scrape any further social media from William’s or his family’s accounts.”

Bryony Gooch14 October 2026 00:01

Yorkshire Wildlife Park to remain closed on Wednesday

Yorkshire Wildlife Park will remain closed on Wednesday for the fifth day following the attack.

The zoo has remained closed since a man died in a tiger enclosure on Saturday.

An investigation has been launched by the zoo’s licence authority, City of Doncaster Council.

Bryony Gooch13 October 2026 23:00

Family pay tribute to 'bright warm and engaging' man who suffered 'significant mental illness'

The family of William Chapman, killed by a tiger at a wildlife park, have described the 23-year-old as a “bright, warm and engaging young man”.

Mr Chapman, who was mauled to death when he entered the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, in Doncaster, on Saturday, had suffered from “significant mental illness over a number of years”, his family added in a statement.

“The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,” they said on Tuesday.

“The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.

“The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did.”

In the statement, his family added: “William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.

“Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication.

“It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death.

“We would ask everybody to respect that process.”

Bryony Gooch13 October 2026 22:41

Tribute paid by Mr Chapman's old stage school

William Chapman previously attended Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Jackie Palmer Stage School said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former student, William Chapman.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with William’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

“We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us.

“It was a privilege to be part of his journey, and he will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

“William will be truly missed, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts. Rest in peace, William.”

Bryony Gooch13 October 2026 22:20

William Chapman was a child actor who appeared on BBC and ITV

A man who died after he was attacked by a tiger in a wildlife park was a child actor who appeared on series broadcast on the BBC and ITV.

William Chapman, who was killed when he entered the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, in Doncaster, on Saturday, will be remembered with “great fondness”, his former stage school said.

Mr Chapman appeared in ITV’s May Contain Nuts, alongside Harry Potter actress Shirley Henderson, and in the BBC’s True Stories series, according to IMDB.

Bryony Gooch13 October 2026 22:19

Donald Trump posts footage of man being attacked by tiger

Donald Trump has posted footage of the man being fatally attacked by a tiger at a UK wildlife park to 13 million followers on his Truth Social platform.

The US president accompanied the short clip with the signed message: “Don’t ever mess with nature!”

It showed the animal biting and clawing the victim as he sat in the enclosure, but not him being killed.

Mr Trump followed this up a short time later with a separate post featuring a video montage that appeared to show a series of other people being mauled by lions accompanied by an upbeat soundtrack.