The family of William Chapman has paid tribute to a ‘warm and engaging young man’Credit: PA
The devastated family of William Chapman, the 23-year-old former child actor killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, has made an urgent appeal after distressing footage of his final moments spread online. As relatives reveal the serious health struggles he faced, his former drama school has remembered a talented young performer whose life once held very different possibilities.
Chapman died on Saturday, October 10, 2026, after entering the enclosure of Altai, a five-year-old Amur tiger, at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
His death attracted widespread attention after videos emerged showing him approaching the animal and the terrifying encounter that followed.
But as those recordings continued circulating, his family issued an emotional statement asking the public to consider the pain being caused to those who loved him.
Family Makes Desperate Appeal Over Disturbing Videos
Chapman was killed by a tiger after entering an enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday afternoonCredit: Amytillman
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Chapman’s relatives described their devastation and the difficulty of coming to terms with his death.
They also addressed the circulation of distressing material connected to the incident.
The family said the publication and sharing of offensive footage and images was causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time.
They urged people to stop distributing the material.
Their appeal came after recordings from inside the tiger enclosure spread across social media and attracted international news coverage.
Some footage was reportedly recorded by Chapman himself, while other clips captured the encounter from outside the enclosure.
For his grieving relatives, the videos have become another source of pain during an already devastating period.
The family’s message was clear: their son should be remembered as a person, not simply through the disturbing circumstances of his death.
Years of Serious Mental Health Difficulties Revealed
Emergency services descended on the park but William was sadly pronounced dead at the sceneCredit: © YappApp
Chapman’s family also disclosed that he had struggled with significant mental illness over several years.
According to their statement, he had been prescribed strong medication.
They described William as a bright, warm and engaging young man who was deeply loved by his family.
His relatives said they hoped the relevant authorities would investigate why he had entered the tiger enclosure.
They also stressed that any possible connection between his health and the fatal incident would be a matter for the coroner.
No official conclusion has established that his mental health difficulties or medication contributed to his actions that afternoon.
The family has therefore asked the public to respect the investigative process rather than speculate about the reasons behind his death.
Former Child Actor Starred Alongside Harry Potter Actress
Emergency services descended on the park but William was sadly pronounced dead at the sceneCredit: © YappApp
As the story developed, a surprising part of Chapman’s childhood came to light.
Before his death made headlines across Britain, he had been a child actor appearing in television productions.
In 2009, Chapman played Alfie Chaplin in the two-part ITV comedy-drama May Contain Nuts.
He appeared alongside Shirley Henderson, who portrayed Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter film series, and actor Darren Boyd.
In the production, Chapman played the younger son of the characters portrayed by Henderson and Boyd.
Photographs from the programme show him sitting alongside his fellow cast members.
The images provide a poignant contrast to the footage now associated with his final day.
They capture a young performer taking part in a professional television production, years before the tragedy that ended his life.
William Also Portrayed a Historic Medical Pioneer
He recorded himself approaching the predator after leaping into the tiger enclosureCredit: Instagram
Chapman’s childhood acting career extended beyond May Contain Nuts.
In 2012, he was credited with portraying a young Edward Jenner in the BBC educational series True Stories.
Jenner was the English physician whose pioneering work helped establish vaccination against smallpox.
The role was another example of Chapman’s early involvement in television.
He had trained at the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, an institution known for nurturing young performers.
Among the school’s former pupils are Eddie Redmayne, James Corden and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Following Chapman’s death, the school issued its own tribute.
Acting School Remembers the Boy They Watched Grow Up
William (left) sitting next to Harry Potter star Shirley Henderson, who played Moaning Myrtle, in the ITV show May Contain NutsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
In a heartfelt Facebook statement, Jackie Palmer Stage School expressed its sadness at losing a former student.
The school remembered watching Chapman develop both as a person and as a performer.
Staff described being privileged to have played a part in his journey.
They also expressed their condolences to his family and friends.
The tribute made clear that Chapman had left a lasting impression on those who knew him during his childhood.
His former teachers remembered him with affection and said he would continue to hold a special place in their hearts.
For the school community, the news of his death was not simply another tragic headline.
It was the loss of someone they had known, encouraged and watched grow.
The Fatal Incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Chapman played Alfie Chaplin in the two-part comedy drama in 2009Credit: ITV
On Saturday afternoon, emergency services were called to Yorkshire Wildlife Park shortly after 1:30pm.
Chapman, who was reportedly visiting the attraction alone, had entered an enclosure containing Altai.
Witnesses described seeing him near the viewing area before the incident.
He reportedly asked another visitor to take a photograph with the tiger in the background.
Footage later circulated showing Chapman approaching the animal as it rested on an elevated wooden platform.
His breathing could reportedly be heard while visitors outside the enclosure shouted warnings.
Other recordings showed the encounter escalating.
Witnesses also reported that a mother had attempted to prevent Chapman from entering the enclosure but was unable to stop him.
The tiger subsequently attacked him.
Emergency Efforts Could Not Save Him
Wildlife park rangers reportedly fired warning shots to frighten Altai away from Chapman.
The animal eventually retreated towards a nearby shelter and was secured.
Emergency medical personnel attended the scene, but Chapman was pronounced dead despite attempts to save him.
The wildlife park was evacuated following the incident.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirmed that Altai was safe and would not be euthanised.
The attraction was scheduled to remain closed on Wednesday, October 14, marking a fifth consecutive day of closure.
City of Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park, confirmed that it had begun a health and safety investigation.
More Than the Footage of His Final Moments
The latest developments have shifted attention towards Chapman’s life beyond the tragic encounter.
He was a former child performer whose television appearances included an ITV comedy-drama and an educational BBC production.
His acting school remembers him as a much-loved student.
His family remembers a warm and engaging young man who had endured serious difficulties over several years.
And both have been left mourning a life cut short.
The family’s appeal to stop circulating distressing material highlights the human cost of the attention surrounding the incident.
While millions of people may know William Chapman because of the footage from Yorkshire Wildlife Park, those closest to him are asking the public to remember the young man behind the headlines — and to respect their grief as they wait for answers.
The precise circumstances surrounding his decision to enter the enclosure remain unresolved.
For his loved ones, understanding what happened is now part of an immensely painful process.
Based on The Sun’s report updated October 14, 2026. Any role Chapman’s mental health history or medication may have played in his death has not been established and remains a matter for the relevant authorities and coroner.