Family of 23-Year-Old Killed in Yorkshire Wildlife Park Tiger Attack Speaks of 'Bright, Warm and Engaging' Son as Police Investigate

The family of a young man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at a wildlife park in South Yorkshire has issued an emotional tribute, describing him as a "bright, warm and engaging" person who was 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. His relatives released their statement through police on Tuesday evening, in which they also disclosed that he had suffered from significant mental illness over several years and had been prescribed strong medication.

In their statement, the family said it would be a matter for the coroner to determine what role his mental health struggles played in his death, and they asked the public to respect that process. They described William as a young man whom they dearly loved and who loved them in return. The family also spoke of being utterly devastated by their loss and said they were struggling to come to terms with what had happened. They expressed hope that the relevant authorities would do their utmost to establish why their "amazing son" acted as he did.

The family made a direct appeal for privacy, saying that the publication and circulation of what they called deeply offensive media content was causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. Their plea came amid widespread sharing online of footage recorded during the incident, including material posted on Tuesday evening by US President Donald Trump. Downing Street responded by saying that people should respect the family's wishes regarding the footage, though it declined to comment directly on the president's decision to share the video.

The prime minister's official spokesman said the family had made their position clear and that it would be respected, adding that he would not comment on the president's social media channels. South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard also weighed in, revealing that his office had been in contact with the Chapman family on Tuesday. He said the relatives had shared the pain and suffering caused by knowing that videos and pictures of his death were being circulated across social media platforms. Coppard urged the public not to speculate about the circumstances of the incident, warning that such speculation only adds to the family's pain and that answers would come in time.

The incident occurred shortly after 13:30 BST on Saturday and led to the immediate evacuation of the park, which remains closed. No reopening date has been confirmed. An eyewitness described seeing Chapman wearing headphones and pacing around near the enclosure before he went inside. Mobile phone footage believed to have been recorded by Chapman himself appears to show the interior of the enclosure as he approaches the tiger across a patch of grass. A photograph taken by a member of the public captured the tiger lounging on a wooden platform just minutes before the attack.

Chapman was a former pupil of the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, which paid its own tribute on Tuesday. The school said it had loved watching him grow both as a person and as a performer during his time there, describing it as a privilege to have been part of his journey. It said he would 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."

Staff at Yorkshire Wildlife Park said their thoughts and heartfelt sympathies were with Chapman's family, and confirmed that the rare Amur tiger, named Altai, remained in its enclosure and would not be euthanised. The park has not indicated when it might reopen. Floral tributes have been laid at the entrance to the site near Doncaster, reflecting the shock felt in the local community and beyond.

City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation into the death. 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 were present at the scene. The investigation is expected to examine how Chapman was able to enter the enclosure and what safety measures were in place at the time.

South Yorkshire Police said Chapman's family were being supported by specialist officers. An inquest into the death is due to open at Doncaster Coroner's Court on Thursday, a hearing that will formally begin the process of establishing the facts surrounding the tragedy. The coroner is expected to consider the family's disclosure about Chapman's mental health history as part of the wider inquiry.

The case has raised difficult questions about the spread of graphic content on social media in the aftermath of violent or traumatic deaths. The family's request for restraint was echoed by local leaders, yet footage of the incident continued to circulate widely online, prompting debate about the responsibilities of platforms and high-profile users who amplify such material. For the Chapman family, the priority remains a full and transparent account of how their son came to enter the tiger's enclosure, and they have asked that the speculation and the sharing of distressing images stop so they can grieve in private while the official inquiries take their course.