“OUR AMAZING SON WAS DEEPLY LOVED” — FAMILY PAYS HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM CHAPMAN, 23, KILLED BY TIGER AT WILDLIFE PARK

The former child actor’s family are devastated by their loss and are pleading with the public to stop sharing distressing footage of his final moments as an investigation continues.

The family of William Chapman, a 23-year-old man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England, have paid an emotional tribute to a young man they described as “bright, warm and engaging.”

Chapman died on Saturday, October 10, after entering the enclosure of Altai, a Siberian tiger, at the wildlife park in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Emergency services were called shortly after 1:30 p.m., but despite efforts to help him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement released on Tuesday, his family said they were struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss of their son.

“William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved — and William loved them back,” they said.

FAMILY REVEALS HE HAD BEEN STRUGGLING FOR YEARS

In their statement, Chapman’s family disclosed that he had experienced significant mental health difficulties over a number of years and had been prescribed strong medication.

They stressed that it would be for the coroner to determine whether his medical history or medication played any part in the circumstances surrounding his death.

The family also expressed hope that the relevant authorities would thoroughly investigate what happened.

Their statement offered a glimpse of the personal tragedy behind the headlines, asking the public to remember William as a much-loved son rather than reducing his life to the shocking circumstances of his death.

A PLEA TO STOP SHARING DISTRESSING FOOTAGE

The family have also spoken out against the circulation of videos and other material showing the incident.

They said the publication and sharing of deeply offensive content was causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time.

They asked people to stop circulating the footage and to respect their privacy as they grieve.

The appeal comes amid widespread online attention surrounding the incident. Reports say Chapman appeared to have filmed himself approaching the tiger shortly before the fatal encounter.

Authorities have urged respect for those affected as investigations continue.

REMEMBERED AS A FORMER CHILD ACTOR

Chapman had appeared in television productions during his childhood, including ITV’s comedy drama May Contain Nuts in 2009 and the BBC educational series True Stories in 2012.

He was also a former student at Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

The school paid tribute to its former student, expressing sadness at his death and sending condolences to his family and friends.

It said it had been a privilege to watch him grow as both a person and a performer, adding that he would be remembered with great fondness.

INVESTIGATION INTO THE TRAGEDY CONTINUES

The City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation into the incident, working alongside other relevant agencies.

The wildlife park has remained closed following the tragedy while authorities examine the circumstances.

The tiger, Altai, has been confirmed safe, and the park has said the animal will not be euthanised.

No final conclusions have been announced about the circumstances leading to Chapman’s death. His family have asked that the coroner’s process be respected while officials work to establish what happened.

For those who loved him, however, the immediate reality is a devastating loss that no investigation can undo.

“Our amazing son” is how William’s family remember him — a young man they loved deeply, whose life was far more than the tragic final moments now circulating online.

As the investigation continues, their message is clear: respect their grief, stop sharing distressing footage and allow them the privacy to mourn.

Sources: The Sun, October 13, 2026; RTÉ, October 14, 2026; Sky News, October 13, 2026; The Independent, October 14, 2026.