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.
Read MoreWhat happened in the Yorkshire tiger attack? Police issue update on man killed in enclosure
Tiger will not be euthanised after fatal attack on man – wildlife park
Key Points
- Family pay tribute to 'bright warm and engaging' man who suffered 'significant mental illness'
- Man killed in zoo was a child actor who appeared on BBC
- Donald Trump posts footage of man being attacked by tiger
- Man killed in zoo named for first time after climbing into enclosure
- Man who died in tiger enclosure was 'visiting on his own'
- Tribute paid by man killed in zoo's old stage school
Recap watch: Visitors evacuate wildlife park after man dies in tiger attack
04:00 , Bryony GoochPictured: A photo of William Chapman handed out by his family
03:00 , Bryony Gooch
Coroner will have to decide if mental illness played a role in his death, family say
02:00 , Bryony GoochThe 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.”
Tiger who attacked man in Yorkshire enclosure ‘was endangered species who had joined from zoo in Norway last year’
01:00 , Bryony Gooch
Tiger who attacked man in Yorkshire enclosure pictured for first time
Full statement from William Chapman's family
Wednesday 14 October 2026 00:01 , Bryony GoochIn 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.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park to remain closed on Wednesday
Tuesday 13 October 2026 23:00 , Bryony GoochYorkshire 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.
Family pay tribute to 'bright warm and engaging' man who suffered 'significant mental illness'
Tuesday 13 October 2026 22:41 , Bryony GoochThe 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.”
Tribute paid by Mr Chapman's old stage school
Tuesday 13 October 2026 22:20 , Bryony GoochWilliam 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.”
William Chapman was a child actor who appeared on BBC and ITV
Tuesday 13 October 2026 22:19 , Bryony GoochA 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.
Donald Trump posts footage of man being attacked by tiger
Tuesday 13 October 2026 22:00 , Bryony GoochDonald 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.
Recap: Health and safety investigation launched into death of man at zoo
Tuesday 13 October 2026 21:00 , Bryony GoochA health and safety investigation has been launched into the death of a man who was killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, its licensing authority the City of Doncaster Council said.
Dan Swaine, Executive Director of Place at City of Doncaster Council, said: “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred this weekend and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone involved, including the family and loved ones of the person who tragically lost their life, those that witnessed the incident and the staff involved at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, as well as the emergency services who provided a swift response.
“As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation.
“We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident.
“At this time, we won’t be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time.”
Watch: Tributes left at Yorkshire Wildlife Park after fatal tiger attack
Tuesday 13 October 2026 20:24 , Bryony GoochPictured: William Chapman, the victim of the Yorkshire zoo incident
Tuesday 13 October 2026 19:00 , Bryony Gooch
Man killed by tiger at Yorkshire zoo posed for photo with animal before climbing into enclosure, say witnesses
Tuesday 13 October 2026 18:00 , Bryony Gooch
Man killed by tiger posed for photo with animal before climbing into pen - witnesses
Recap: Local councillors reflect on 'upsetting' incident
Tuesday 13 October 2026 17:00 , Bryony GoochCouncillor Steve Cox, who represents the Finningley ward covering the wildlife park, said: “I really feel for the staff, they’ve got protocols they have to go through.
“It’s really sad, but I’m sure everybody did what they could.”
Doncaster’s deputy civic mayor councillor Nick Allen, who represents a nearby ward, said: “We don’t know all the circumstances yet and the speculation online is obviously upsetting and unneeded.”
He said he had been “really shocked about the tragic incident”.
Watch: Yorkshire tiger latest: ' It's impossible that a human could have survived an attack'
Tuesday 13 October 2026 16:10 , Bryony GoochRecap: Man fatally wounded in tiger enclosure filmed encounter
Tuesday 13 October 2026 15:44 , Bryony GoochA man who died after he was attacked by a tiger in a wildlife park apparently filmed the moment he approached the animal, according to footage posted in reports.
William Chapman, believed to be the identity of the victim, posted footage online minutes before he was killed of him approaching the tiger, called Altai, at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday, The Independent understands.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed
Tuesday 13 October 2026 15:19 , Bryony GoochYorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed for another day since Saturday’s incident.
A statement on the website reads:
“We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred on Saturday at the tiger enclosure.
“Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated, and emergency services attended the scene.
“The park will be closed today whilst we are working closely with the authorities. The Yorkshire Hive will remain open as usual.
“The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority.”
City of Doncaster statement in full
Tuesday 13 October 2026 14:36 , Joe MiddletonDan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, said: “As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation.
“We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident.
“At this time, we won’t be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time.”
BREAKING NEWS
Tuesday 13 October 2026 13:52 , Joe MiddletonThe man who was fatally wounded after entering a tiger enclosure has been named as William Chapman, The Independent understands.
Mr Chapman posted footage online minutes before he was killed of him approaching the tiger, called Altai, at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to the wildlife park near Doncaster after he climbed into the animal enclosure and was then attacked by the tiger. Witnesses said he overpowered a woman who “desperately tried” to stop him entering the compound.
He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
ICYMI Man who died in tiger enclosure was visiting on his own
Tuesday 13 October 2026 13:44 , Joe MiddletonThe man who died in a tiger enclosure in Yorkshire is not believed to have been accompanied by anybody, it has been reported.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "It is not believed that the man who died at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park was being accompanied by anybody."
ICYMI: Victim killed by tiger won't be named
Tuesday 13 October 2026 12:45 , Joe MiddletonSouth Yorkshire police will not be naming the victim who was killed by a tiger, The Independent understands.
It is understood that the family have requested the man is not named.
