An inquest has revealed the provisional cause of death for 23-year-old William Chapman, who was fatally mauled by a Siberian tiger at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park last Saturday.
Doncaster Coroner’s Court heard today that Mr. Chapman suffered “multiple traumatic injuries” during the incident, which occurred after he entered the enclosure of a tiger named Altai in front of shocked park visitors. The court was told that Mr. Chapman had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had a documented history of mental health struggles, for which he had been under the care of adult mental health services in Doncaster.
Coroner’s officer Caitlin Brookes confirmed that the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust has launched an investigation into the matter, following concerns raised by the victim’s family regarding his prior contact with mental health services. Despite his medical history, the coroner noted that Mr. Chapman was “highly functioning and independent” at the time of his death.
The young man, a former child actor who appeared in various television roles including ITV’s May Contain Nuts, was described by his grieving family as “bright, warm and engaging.” In a statement, his family expressed their utter devastation and made an urgent plea for the public to stop sharing graphic video footage of the fatal attack, which has been widely circulated online.
The situation was exacerbated earlier this week when the footage was reposted by US President Donald Trump, a move the family branded “deeply offensive” and a source of “severe distress” during an incredibly vulnerable time.
Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, where Mr. Chapman—who had been visiting the park alone—was pronounced dead. Park rangers successfully managed to secure the area by firing warning shots, which allowed them to move Altai away from the scene.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed as a result of the tragedy. Park officials have confirmed that the tiger involved in the incident is “safe and well” and will not be euthanized. Meanwhile, Doncaster City Council has launched a formal health and safety investigation into the facility.
The tragedy has left the local community in shock, as investigators continue to look into the circumstances that led to Mr. Chapman entering the enclosure. A full inquest into his death has been scheduled for March 18, 2027.
The family stated, “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.” As investigations proceed, the park continues to cooperate fully with the authorities, with further details expected to emerge during the spring hearings.
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