Who Was William Chapman, Killed in Tiger Attack at Yorkshire Park?

William Chapman, 23, died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday and being attacked by the animal inside, according to BBC News. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

What happened at the park on Saturday?

The incident took place shortly after 13:30 BST, the BBC reported, prompting an evacuation and the park's ongoing closure. An eyewitness told the outlet they saw Chapman wearing headphones and "pacing around" near the enclosure before he went in. Mobile phone footage believed to be from Chapman appears to show him approaching the tiger across a patch of grass inside the pen, according to the BBC. Footage of the incident has circulated widely on social media, including a share on Tuesday evening by US President Donald Trump, the outlet reported.

Who was William Chapman?

Chapman was a former pupil of the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, which said in a tribute Tuesday it was "a privilege to be part of his journey" and that he "will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him," per the BBC. As a child, he appeared in the ITV production "May Contain Nuts" alongside Shirley Henderson and Darren Boyd, and he played Edward Jenner in the BBC series "True Stories."

What has his family said?

In a statement released Tuesday evening and reported by the BBC, Chapman's family described him as "bright, warm and engaging" and said he "dearly loved" them and "loved them back." The family said he had suffered from "significant mental illness" over a number of years and had been prescribed "strong medication," adding that "it will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death" and asking the public to "respect that process."

The family also asked for privacy, saying "the publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time." They said they are "utterly devastated" and are "hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did," according to the BBC. A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the family is being supported by specialist officers.

What investigations are underway?

City of Doncaster Council has opened a health and safety investigation into Chapman's death, the BBC reported, and the park remains closed with no reopening date confirmed. An inquest into the death is due to open at Doncaster Coroner's Court on Thursday.

What has the wildlife park said about the tiger?

Staff at Yorkshire Wildlife Park said their "thoughts and heartfelt sympathies" are with Chapman's family, according to the BBC. The park confirmed the animal involved, a rare Amur tiger named Altai, remained in the enclosure and would not be euthanized.

The BBC's reporting, credited to Cachella Smith and published October 13, 2026, is the source for the account above; further details are expected to emerge as the inquest proceeds this week.