Family of 23-Year-Old Killed in Yorkshire Wildlife Park Tiger Attack Describe Him as 'Bright, Warm and Engaging'

The family of a young man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at a wildlife park in South Yorkshire has spoken publicly for the first time, paying tribute to a "bright, warm and engaging" individual whom they described as deeply loved. William Chapman, 23, was attacked on Saturday afternoon at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster after he went into the pen housing a rare Amur tiger. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Chapman's relatives said he had struggled with "significant mental illness" over a number of years and had been prescribed "strong medication." The family noted that it would ultimately fall to the coroner to determine what role his condition may have played in his death, and they asked the public to respect that ongoing process.

"William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved — and William loved them back," the statement said. The family added that they were "utterly devastated" by their loss and were "struggling to come to terms with what has happened."

The tribute also included a direct appeal for privacy. The family said the "publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content" was causing them "severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time." They expressed hope that the relevant authorities would do their utmost "to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did."

The incident occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. BST on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of the park and its continued closure. A reopening date has not yet been confirmed. An eyewitness described seeing Chapman wearing headphones and "pacing around" 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 patch of grass.

The death has triggered a health and safety investigation by City of Doncaster Council. Dan Swaine, the local authority's executive director of place, said the council was "deeply saddened" by the incident and extended its "deepest sympathies" to Chapman's family and to those who witnessed the scene.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed that Chapman's family was being supported by specialist officers. An inquest into the death is scheduled to open at Doncaster Coroner's Court on Thursday, a proceeding that is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident in greater detail.

The park's staff also issued a statement expressing their "thoughts and heartfelt sympathies" for Chapman's family. They confirmed that the Amur tiger involved, a rare animal named Altai, remained in its enclosure and would not be euthanised — a decision likely to be welcomed by conservationists, given the endangered status of Amur tigers in the wild.

Chapman was a former pupil of the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, which paid its own tribute on Tuesday. "We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us," the school said. "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." As a child, Chapman appeared in the ITV production "May Contain Nuts" alongside Shirley Henderson, best known for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films, and Darren Boyd. He also portrayed Edward Jenner in the BBC series "True Stories."

Floral tributes have been laid at the entrance to the wildlife park near Doncaster, serving as a visible expression of community grief. The images accompanying coverage — Chapman smiling before a waterfall, and a separate photograph of a selfie in open countryside — have helped humanise a story that has otherwise been dominated by difficult and distressing details.

The case has also drawn attention at the highest levels of government and beyond, after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media. The video was shared on Tuesday evening by US President Donald Trump, drawing further scrutiny to the spread of graphic content online.

Downing Street said people should respect the family's views on sharing footage of the incident, but declined to comment directly on Trump's decision to post the video. The prime minister's official spokesman said: "I think obviously the family have made their position clear. Of course, we respect that position. I'm not going to comment on the president's social media channels; he's got a press secretary who can speak to that."

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard also addressed the issue, saying his office had been in contact with Chapman's family. He said relatives had been "sharing the pain and suffering it's causing them knowing that videos and pictures of his death are being shared across social media." Coppard urged the public not to speculate about the incident online, warning that "that speculation adds to the pain being endured by Mr Chapman's family." He added: "Answers will come in time."

The incident has renewed debate about safety protocols at wildlife parks, the ethical responsibilities of social media platforms in moderating violent content, and the pressures faced by families thrust into the public eye during moments of acute grief. It has also highlighted the importance of mental health support for young adults, a subject Chapman's family chose to address directly in their statement.

As the investigation continues and the inquest prepares to open, the park remains shut and unanswered questions linger about how a visitor was able to enter an enclosure housing one of the world's most endangered big cats. For Chapman's loved ones, the focus remains on remembering a young man they described as deeply cherished — and on asking that the public allow them the space to mourn.