“WE JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR SON” — WILLIAM CHAPMAN’S FAMILY RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE AFTER FATAL TIGER ATTACK

A young man’s death at Yorkshire Wildlife Park has left his family devastated. Now, an inquest has heard concerns about his contact with mental health services in the months and years before the tragedy.

William Chapman, 24, died on October 10, 2026, after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, England.

At the opening of the inquest on October 15, the hearing was told that William had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had experienced episodes of psychosis. His family has raised concerns about his contact with mental health services before his death.

The questions surrounding his care are now part of a wider investigation into the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.

A family remembers a much-loved son

In a statement shared through South Yorkshire Police, William’s family described him as “a bright, warm and engaging young man” who was deeply loved by his family and loved them in return.

They also explained that he had experienced significant mental illness over a number of years and had been prescribed strong medication.

The family said it would be for the coroner to determine what role, if any, his medical history played in his death.

They have asked for privacy as they try to come to terms with losing their son, while urging people to stop sharing distressing footage of the incident.

Their focus, they said, is on understanding what happened and ensuring the relevant authorities investigate their concerns.

What did the inquest hear?

The opening hearing at Doncaster Coroner’s Court heard that William was under the care of adult mental health services in Doncaster.

Despite his diagnosis and previous episodes of psychosis, he was described during the hearing as highly functioning and independent, with no care requirements recorded.

The coroner’s officer also confirmed that the family had expressed “a number of concerns” about his contact with mental health services.

The Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust has launched an investigation following his death.

These concerns have not yet resulted in a finding of wrongdoing. The purpose of the ongoing investigations is to establish the relevant facts and examine whether anything could have been done differently.

The final moments at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

The inquest heard that William visited the park on October 10 and climbed over two fences to enter the enclosure housing an Amur tiger named Altai.

The tiger approached him, and the ensuing physical contact caused multiple traumatic injuries.

An initial post-mortem examination provisionally recorded his cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries. He died at the scene.

The park, police and local authorities are continuing to assist with investigations into the circumstances of the incident.

A separate health and safety investigation has also been launched by City of Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park.

The investigation continues

William’s death has raised questions about mental health support, the circumstances surrounding his actions and the responsibilities of the organisations involved in his care.

However, the answers are not yet known. Investigators have not established whether any shortcomings in his care contributed to the tragedy, and the family’s concerns should not be mistaken for a final legal or clinical finding.

A full inquest is scheduled for March 18, 2027, when further evidence may help clarify the circumstances surrounding his death.

A family asking for answers

Beyond the investigation, William’s family is facing the loss of someone they described as warm, engaging and deeply loved.

They have asked the public to remember his life and respect their privacy during an exceptionally painful period.

Their hope is that the investigations will establish why the tragedy occurred and provide answers to the questions they are now living with.

William Chapman’s death has left a family grieving and serious questions still unanswered. As the investigations continue, his loved ones are waiting for clarity about the events that led to his final day.