William Chapman Filmed Himself Approaching Tiger Before Death, Family Reveals Years of Mental Illness and 'Strong Medication'

William Chapman filmed himself walking towards a tiger moments before he was fatally mauled inside Yorkshire Wildlife Park. His family has now revealed he had suffered from significant mental illness for years and had been prescribed 'strong medication.'

The 23-year-old entered the Amur tiger enclosure at the Doncaster attraction on Saturday, 10 October, after visiting the park alone. He was pronounced dead at the scene after the animal, named Altai, attacked him.

The newly reported footage has added another detail to an incident that remains under investigation. Chapman's family have asked for privacy and urged people to stop circulating distressing material online.

William Chapman Filmed Himself Approaching Tiger

A short video believed to have been recorded by Chapman shows the inside of the tiger enclosure, with Altai resting on a raised wooden platform as the camera moves towards the animal. According to TMZ, the five-second clip was apparently posted to Chapman's Instagram shortly before the attack. The footage captures him breathing heavily as visitors can be heard reacting in the background and urging him to get away.

The video does not establish why Chapman entered the enclosure or what he intended to do. His Instagram account has since been deleted. Eyewitnesses previously described seeing Chapman wearing headphones and pacing near the enclosure before climbing over the barriers and entering the tiger habitat.

Family Reveals Chapman's Mental Illness

Chapman's family said he had suffered from 'significant mental illness' over a number of years and had consequently been prescribed 'strong medication.' 'It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death,' the family said, asking people to respect the investigation.

They described Chapman as a 'bright, warm and engaging young man' who was 'dearly loved' by his family. They also said they were 'utterly devastated' and struggling to understand what had happened.

The family also urged people not to circulate distressing footage or take material from his or his relatives' social media accounts. Chapman was a former child actor who appeared in ITV's May Contain Nuts and the BBC's True Stories.

His former stage school, Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, paid tribute to him as a former student. The school said it was 'deeply saddened' by his death.

What Happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park?

South Yorkshire Police said Chapman entered the enclosure shortly after 1:30pm on Saturday, when he was fatally attacked by Altai. Emergency services were called, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The park was evacuated after the attack and remained closed on Wednesday, 14 October, for a fifth consecutive day. City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation as the park's licensing authority.

Authorities have not announced findings from the inquiry, and the circumstances leading to Chapman's entry remain under investigation.

Tiger Altai Will Not Be Euthanised

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has confirmed that Altai will not be euthanised and is 'safe and well'. Staff were left deeply affected by the incident and are receiving specialist support.

Altai is a five-year-old male Amur tiger who arrived from Norway in February 2025 as part of an international breeding programme for the endangered species. He shares the park's two-acre 'Land of the Tigers' habitat with tigress Tschuna.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental or emotional distress or is considering self-harm, please reach out for help.

You can contact 988 in the US and Canada to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org. In the UK, you can contact Samaritans on 116 123. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7.