The family of William Chapman have said “deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress” after US president Donald Trump shared a controversial AI-generated video mimicking the tragic incident.
Mr Trump posted footage of Mr Chapman being fatally attacked by a tiger at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park to 13 million followers on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday evening, before following this up with an AI-generated video of the US president grappling with a tiger.
The 23-year-old’s family posted a tribute, also on Tuesday evening, describing him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man”, criticising the online reaction to his death and questioning what part his “significant mental illness over a number of years” and prescribed strong medication played in the incident.
Mr Trump’s sharing of the two pieces of footage on social media has prompted outrage.
The official Republicans Against Trump account on X responding to the A.I. video by writing: “WTF.”
“Someone take Grandpa’s phone away,” another post uploaded to the account read.
Read MoreWilliam Chapman: Man killed by tiger at Yorkshire zoo is named and pictured for first time
What happened in the Yorkshire tiger attack? Family of victim issues statement
Trump shares footage of man being fatally attacked by tiger in UK wildlife park on Truth Social
Key Points
- Victim's family hits out at 'deeply offensive' online content after Trump posts controversial AI video
- Family pay tribute to 'bright warm and engaging' man who suffered 'significant mental illness'
- Pictured: A photo of William Chapman handed out by his family
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park to remain closed on Wednesday
- Coroner will have to decide if mental illness played a role in his death, family say
Full Statement: William Chapman's family pay tribute
20:00 , Bryony GoochThe family of William Chapman, who died following an incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday shared the below statement on Tuesday night.
“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 utmost 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.”
Mr Chapman's family have asked for privacy at this difficult time.
What happened in the Yorkshire tiger attack? Police issue update on man killed in enclosure
19:00 , Bryony Gooch
What happened in the Yorkshire tiger attack?
Inquest to open into William Chapman's death on Thursday
17:55 , Bryony GoochAn inquest has been scheduled to open for William Chapman on Thursday after he died in a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday.
The inquest will open at Doncaster Coroner’s Court, Civic Office, Waterdale, at 10am tomorrow.
Pictured: Photo released of William Chapman
16:53 , Bryony Gooch
Downing Street call on people to respect the views of William Chapman's family
15:55 , Bryony GoochDowning Street said people should respect the views of the family of William Chapman, who was killed by a tiger at a wildlife park, over the sharing of footage of the incident but would not directly comment on Donald Trump posting the video online.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “I think obviously the family have made their position clear. Of course, we respect that position.”
But he added: “I’m not going to comment on the president’s social media channels, he’s got a press secretary who can speak to that.”
Victim's family hits out at 'deeply offensive' online content after Trump posts controversial AI video
13:55 , Joe MiddletonThe family of William Chapman, who was killed by a tiger at a wildlife park, have said “deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress” after US president Donald Trump reposted a widely shared video of the incident.
Mr Trump posted footage of Mr Chapman being fatally attacked by a tiger at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park to 13 million followers on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday evening.
The 23-year-old’s family posted a tribute, also on Tuesday evening, describing him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man”, criticising the online reaction to his death and questioning what part his “significant mental illness over a number of years” and prescribed strong medication played in the incident.
The US president accompanied the short clip – which showed the animal biting and clawing Mr Chapman as he sat in the enclosure, but not him being killed – with the signed message: “Don’t ever mess with nature!”
On Wednesday morning Mr Trump followed this up with another post – this time an AI-generated video of him grappling with a tiger, which appears to mimic the original.
The clip, which is accompanied by the Tight Fit song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, features the president copying the pointing gesture made by Mr Chapman, and ends with him hugging the animal.
No 10 refuse to comment on Trump's AI social media post
13:29 , Joe MiddletonA spokesperson for No 10 said: “I’m not going to comment on the president’s social media channels, he’s got a press secretary who can speak to that.”
Trump slammed over AI clip of himself wrestling Yorkshire tiger that killed a man
Trump sparks outrage for posting AI video of himself wrestling Yorkshire tiger that killed a man
13:15 , Joe MiddletonPresident Trump has been shredded on social media after posting an A.I. video of himself wrestling a tiger that mauled a man to death.
Trump initially shared the real-life footage of William Chapman being attacked by an Amur tiger to his 13 million followers on Truth Social on Tuesday night. It was recorded at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the UK, with the attack having taken place on October 10.
The president captioned his post: “Don’t ever mess with nature! President DJT”.
Trump slammed over AI clip of himself wrestling Yorkshire tiger that killed a man
Watch: Tributes left at Yorkshire Wildlife Park after fatal tiger attack
12:40 , Joe MiddletonICYMI: Full statement from William Chapman's family
12:11 , Joe MiddletonIn 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 remains closed
11:29 , Joe MiddletonThe park remains closed for the fifth day running after the tragic incident on Saturday.
A notice on the website, said: “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. “
Recap: Family of William Chapman ask for privacy
11:02 , Joe MiddletonThe family of William Chapman have asked people not to scrape further posts from social media in a bid for privacy.
Mr Chapman was identified on Tuesday as the man who died after jumping into a tiger enclosure in Yorkshire.
His family said: “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.”
Watch: ' It's impossible that a human could have survived an attack'
10:25 , Joe MiddletonTrump sparks outrage for posting AI video of himself wrestling Yorkshire tiger that killed a man
09:58 , Joe MiddletonPresident Trump has been shredded on social media after posting an A.I. video of himself wrestling a tiger that mauled a man to death.
Trump initially shared the real-life footage of William Chapman being attacked by an Amur tiger to his 13 million followers on Truth Social on Tuesday night. It was recorded at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the UK, with the attack having taken place on October 10.
The president captioned his post: “Don’t ever mess with nature! President DJT”
Trump slammed over AI clip of himself wrestling Yorkshire tiger that killed a man
Who is William Chapman? Former BBC and ITV child actor named as man killed in Yorkshire tiger enclosure
09:16 , Joe MiddletonWilliam Chapman has been named as the man who was killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, on Saturday.
Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on October 10 when the 23-year-old, who police said was visiting the park alone, entered the enclosure of a rare Amur tiger called Altai. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Since the incident, Mr Chapman’s early stint as an actor has come to light. He previously featured on ITV’s May Contain Nuts, alongside Harry Potter star Shirley Henderson, and in the BBC’s True Stories series, according to IMDB.
Mr Chapman’s family have described him as “bright, warm and engaging”, adding that he had suffered from “significant mental illness” over a number of years.
Man who died after being attacked by tiger was child actor who appeared on BBC
Recap: Everything that has happened so far
08:44 , Joe Middleton- William Chapman was identified as the man who died after he was attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday.
- Tributes flooded in on Tuesday night for Mr Chapman, who was a child actor with appearances on ITV and the BBC.
- His family described him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man” who “suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years” and was prescribed “strong medication.
- His former stage school said they loved watching him grow as a person and performer.
- US president Donald Trump reshared footage on his social media of the attack in the wildlife park on Truth Social.
- According to footage posted online, Mr Chapman appeared to have filmed the moment he approached the animal.
Trump shares footage of man being fatally attacked by tiger in UK wildlife park on Truth Social
08:08 , Joe MiddletonDonald Trump has shared footage of the fatal tiger attack that took place over the weekend at a UK wildlife park with his 13 million followers on Truth Social.
The US president added a signed message alongside the brief clip, writing: "Don’t ever mess with nature!"
The video depicts the animal clawing and biting the victim as he sat inside the enclosure, though his death is not shown.
Mr Trump subsequently uploaded a second post featuring a video compilation appearing to show several people being mauled by lions, set to upbeat music.
Trump shares footage of man killed by tiger in UK wildlife park
Full statement from William Chapman's family
07:34 , Joe MiddletonIn 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.”
What happened in the Yorkshire tiger attack? Police issue update on man killed in enclosure
07:00 , Bryony Gooch
What happened in the Yorkshire tiger attack? Police issue update on victim
Trump posts AI video of himself playing with tiger
06:56 , Adam WithnallUS president Donald Trump has posted an AI-generated video of himself playing with a tiger on his Truth Social platform.
The video is likely a reference to Saturday’s incident in Yorkshire, given that earlier on Tuesday Trump shared video of the attack and added a signed message reading: “Don’t ever mess with nature!”
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: Everything that happened on Tuesday
06:00 , Bryony Gooch- William Chapman was identified as the man who died after he was attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday.
- Tributes flooded in on Tuesday night for Mr Chapman, who was a child actor with appearances on ITV and the BBC.
- His family described him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man” who “suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years” and was prescribed “strong medication.
- His former stage school said they loved watching him grow as a person and performer.
- US president Donald Trump reshared footage on his social media of the attack in the wildlife park on Truth Social.
- According to footage posted in reports, Mr Chapman appeared to have filmed the moment he approached the animal.
Recap: Family of William Chapman ask for privacy
05:00 , Bryony GoochThe family of William Chapman have asked people not to scrape further posts from social media in a bid for privacy.
Mr Chapman was identified on Tuesday as the man who died after jumping into a tiger enclosure in Yorkshire.
His family said: “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.”
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.
