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The family of William Chapman, a 23-year-old man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, has paid tribute to him, describing him as a “bright, warm and engaging” young man who was deeply loved by his family.
Chapman was attacked by a tiger after entering the animal’s enclosure shortly after 13:30 BST on Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident prompted the evacuation and continued closure of the wildlife park while the relevant authorities investigate.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, his family said they were devastated by his death and struggling to understand what had happened.
“William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back,” the statement said.
Chapman’s family disclosed that he had experienced significant mental illness over several years and had been prescribed strong medication.
They stressed that the role, if any, of his mental health and medication in the circumstances surrounding his death would be a matter for the coroner to determine.
“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 said.
They also appealed for privacy, expressing distress over the publication and circulation of deeply offensive material relating to the incident on social media.
The family said they hoped the authorities would establish the circumstances that led to their son entering the enclosure.
City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation into the fatal incident. Yorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed, and no reopening date has been confirmed.
South Yorkshire Police said specialist officers were supporting Chapman’s family.
An inquest into his death is due to open at Doncaster Coroner’s Court on Thursday. The proceedings are expected to form part of the official process for examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Read more: Yorkshire Tiger Tragedy: Why Man Leapt Into Pen As Family Begs Anonymity
Dan Swaine, the council’s executive director of place, said the authority was deeply saddened by what had happened and offered condolences to Chapman’s family and those who witnessed the incident.
Floral tributes have been left near the park entrance as people mourn the young man’s death.
An eyewitness reportedly saw Chapman wearing headphones and pacing near the enclosure before he entered it.
Mobile phone footage believed to have been recorded by Chapman appears to show the inside of the enclosure as he approaches the tiger across a grassy area. Footage of the incident has since circulated widely online, including a post shared by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening.
Chapman’s family has said the circulation of distressing and offensive material is causing them additional pain at an exceptionally vulnerable time.
The incident has renewed attention on the importance of respecting the privacy of bereaved families and exercising care when sharing sensitive footage online.
Chapman was a former pupil of the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe. The school paid tribute to him on Tuesday, remembering his development both as a person and as a performer.
“We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us,” the school said.
It added that it had been a privilege to be part of his journey and that he would be remembered with great affection by those who knew him.
As a child, Chapman appeared in the ITV production May Contain Nuts, alongside Shirley Henderson and Darren Boyd. He also portrayed Edward Jenner in the BBC series True Stories.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park staff have also expressed their sympathy to Chapman’s family and confirmed that the Amur tiger involved in the incident, named Altai, remains in its enclosure and will not be euthanised.
The investigation into Chapman’s death is continuing, with the council examining health and safety matters and the coroner’s process expected to consider the circumstances in due course.
As his family mourns their loss, they have asked the public to respect their privacy and allow the official investigations to proceed.
