Coroner cites multiple traumatic injuries as cause of death for former child actor who entered tiger enclosure

A coroner at Doncaster Coroners Court said the provisional cause of death for 24-year-old William Chapman was multiple traumatic injuries sustained during an interaction with a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in northern England. Chapman, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had a record of psychotic episodes, climbed two fences and entered the enclosure of a five-year-old Siberian tiger named Altai, according to the inquest.

Witnesses reported that Chapman was recording video inside the enclosure, wearing headphones and moving around before asking other visitors for a photo with the tiger. He is said to have spoken to the animal before it attacked, dragging him to a wooded area where he died. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the tiger was detained by park staff.

The coroner noted that Chapman’s family had previously raised concerns about his contact with mental health services. The family did not attend the hearing and has been given a later date for the inquest. Chapman had previously acted in a 2009 UK television miniseries and had attended a stage school known for producing several notable performers.

Park officials confirmed that the tiger will not be euthanized following the incident.