“OUR AMAZING SON WAS DEEPLY LOVED” — WILLIAM CHAPMAN’S FAMILY SPEAKS OUT AFTER FATAL TIGER ATTACK

The family of former child actor William Chapman has shared an emotional tribute following his dєatᩚh at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, revealing that the 23-year-old had struggled with significant mєntal health difficulties for several years.

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

In a heartbreaking statement released through South Yorkshire Police, his family remembered him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man” who was deeply loved by those closest to him.

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

 A LONG AND DIFFICULT mєntal HEALTH BATTLE

William’s family revealed that he had experienced significant mєntal illness over a number of years and had been prescribed strong medication.

They stressed that it would be for the coroner to determine whether his mєntal health or medication played any part in the circumstances surrounding his dєatᩚh.

At the opening of the inquest, the hearing was told that William had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had experienced episodes of psychosis. His family also raised concerns about his contact with mєntal health services before the tᩚraɢedy.

An investigation into his contact with those services was subsequently launched.

The full circumstances remain a matter for the relevant authorities, and no definitive conclusion should be drawn about what led William to enter the enclosure.

FAMILY PLEADS WITH PEOPLE TO STOP SHARING DISTRESSING FOOTAGE

Alongside their grief, William’s loved ones have been left distressed by the circulation of videos and other material connected to his final moments.

“The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,” their statement said.

They described the publication and circulation of deeply offensive content as causing them severe distress during an exceptionally vulnerable time.

Their plea was direct: please stop sharing the footage and allow the family to grieve in private.

They also asked people not to approach their family members or homes, and not to gather further personal information from William’s or his relatives’ social media accounts.

Their request is a reminder that behind every widely shared video is a real person — and a family forced to endure the loss again whenever distressing images resurface online.

 REMEMBERING THE PERSON BEHIND THE HEADLINES

William had appeared in television productions as a child and attended Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe.

The school paid tribute to its former student, remembering his time there with affection and extending condolences to his family and friends.

His loved ones hope that the ongoing investigations will help explain the circumstances that led to his dєatᩚh.

“The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their utmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did,” they said.

 A FAMILY ASKING FOR COMPASSION

William’s dєatᩚh has raised difficult questions about mєntal health support, public safety and the events of October 10. Those questions deserve careful investigation, without speculation or the circulation of graphic material.

For now, his family is mourning someone they describe as bright, warm and deeply loved.

William was more than the headlines surrounding his dєatᩚh. He was a son, a former young performer and a person whose life mattered to those who loved him.

As the investigation continues, his family’s message is simple: respect their privacy, stop sharing distressing footage and allow them the space to grieve.