Former Child Actor Mauled by Tiger Suffered Schizophrenia, Coroners Reveal
William Chapman, 24, who previously appeared on UK television, died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
The former child actor mauled to death by a tiger at a UK wildlife park had climbed two fences to enter the predator's enclosure before suffering "multiple traumatic injuries," coroners stated Thursday.
William Chapman, 24, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and experienced previous bouts of psychosis before the fatal attack on Saturday at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in northern England. The incident occurred in front of other parkgoers.
"Chapman climbed two fences and entered the tiger enclosure," a coroner said at a hearing, according to Yorkshire Live. "He approached the tiger and following an interaction suffered multiple traumatic injuries."
The provisional cause of death was listed as multiple traumatic injuries resulting from animal interaction. Chapman was pronounced dead at the scene. The tiger involved, a 5-year-old Siberian named Altai, was contained by park staff.
Chapman's family did not attend the inquest hearing at Doncaster Coroners Court, which has been adjourned until March 18 of the following year. However, they informed the court in advance that Chapman had a history of mental illness, including a schizophrenia diagnosis, and had been under the care of mental health services. His family also expressed concerns regarding his contact with mental health services leading up to his death.
Chapman was remembered by loved ones as "a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back." Witnesses reported seeing Chapman pacing with headphones in and dancing before asking others to take his photo with the tiger in the background. He was reportedly heard telling the tiger to "stop being naughty" before the attack.
Park officials confirmed that the tiger Altai would not be euthanized. Chapman had previously appeared in a 2009 UK television miniseries titled "May Contain Nuts," which also featured actress Shirley Henderson. He also attended the Jackie Palmer Stage School, an institution whose alumni include Eddie Redmayne and James Corden.