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The family of William Chapman, a 23-year-old man who tragically died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, have honored his memory, describing him as a “bright, warm and engaging” individual. On Saturday, Chapman was attacked by the tiger shortly after entering its pen and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, his family revealed that William had been struggling with “significant mental illness” for several years and was under treatment involving “strong medication.” They emphasized that it would be up to the coroner to determine whether his mental health issues played any role in the incident, and they requested that the public respect this ongoing process. The City of Doncaster Council has since initiated a health and safety investigation, and the wildlife park remains closed following the event.
The family expressed immense grief, noting that William was dearly loved by them and that his loss has left them devastated. They also appealed for privacy, highlighting that the circulation of offensive media material during this vulnerable time is causing them considerable distress. They expressed hope that authorities would thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding William’s actions that day.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Chapman near the enclosure before the attack, describing him as “pacing around” while wearing headphones. Footage, believed to have been recorded by William himself, shows the inside of the tiger enclosure and his approach toward the tiger across a grassy area. The Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, where Chapman had previously trained, paid tribute, recalling their pride in watching him grow both personally and artistically. Meanwhile, staff at Yorkshire Wildlife Park extended their “thoughts and heartfelt sympathies” to the family and confirmed that the Amur tiger involved, named Altai, remains in the enclosure and will not be euthanised
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