Tiger sufferer William Chapman’s reason behind demise as ex-child star dies in mauling
William Chapman tragically died after entering the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on October 10. An inquest opening into his death heard the victim was schizophrenic
An inquest into William Chapman’s death has opened(Image: South Yorkshire Police / SWNS)
Tragic tiger victim William Chapman died after suffering multiple traumatic injuries, an inquest opening into his death heard. An inquest into the death of Mr Chapman, 23, who was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, opened at Doncaster Coroners’ Court on Thursday.
A post-mortem examination has been carried out by Dr Karzai who has given a provisional cause of death as 1A multiple traumatic injuries and 1B animal interaction. A fuller report will be provided. An inquest date has been set for March 18 next year.
An officer told the inquest: “During my communications with Mr Chapman’s family they confirmed he had a history of mental illness, a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis and was under the care of Doncaster Mental Health Services.
William Chapman’s family paid tribute to their ‘amazing son’(Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)
“Despite his diagnosis Mr Chapman was highly functioning and independent. His family have expressed a number of concerns in relation to his contact with mental health services leading up to his death.” The court heard Mr Chapman had an occupation as a trader.
The coroner heard Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust had commissioned a Patient Safety Incident Investigation (PSII) to probe his contact with services. Mr Chapman’s family said they “are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did”.
Former child actor Mr Chapman’s family previously said he had suffered from “significant mental illness over a number of years” and was “prescribed strong medication”. In a statement released on Tuesday evening, they said: “It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death. We would ask everybody to respect that process.”
Tributes have been left at the park entrance in memory of Mr Chapman(Image: Tom Maddick / SWNS)
The coroner added: “I have been led to believe the Rotherham South Yorkshire Trust have commissioned an independent patient safety investigation.” Doncaster City Council will also conduct a health and safety investigation.
The coroner’s officer has been asked to contact Yorkshire Wildlife Park to ensure any CCTV is obtained. She has also asked to find out if Mr Chapman attended Yorkshire Wildlife Park previously.
Mr Chapman’s family also said “deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress” after US President Donald Trump reposted a widely shared video of the incident. “The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,” they said.
Mr Chapman uploaded footage of him approaching the tiger to his Instagram page(Image: Not known)
“The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.
“The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did.”
They added: “William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.
Images on Mr Chapman’s Instagram revealed him holding a bible and crossbow(Image: Not known)
As a child, Mr Chapman appeared in ITV’s May Contain Nuts, alongside Harry Potter actress Shirley Henderson, and in the BBC’s True Stories series, according to IMDB. He previously attended Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
In a tribute shared on Facebook, the school said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of the loss of its former student, adding “we loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer”.
Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on October 10 when Mr Chapman, who police said was visiting the park alone, entered the enclosure. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
City of Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park, said on Monday it had started a health and safety investigation.
Dan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, said: “As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation.”
In a previous statement on social media, the wildlife park said “many, many people” had contacted them about Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, and it confirmed he is “safe and well” and will not be euthanised.
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