Family raised concerns about Chapman’s mental health care before fatal zoo attack
An inquest has heard that William Chapman’s family had concerns about his contact with mental health services before he was killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Chapman, 24, entered the enclosure on 10 October; his provisional cause of death was recorded as multiple traumatic injuries and animal interaction.
His family told the coroner he had schizophrenia, a history of psychosis and significant mental illness, and was receiving care from Doncaster Mental Health Services. He was described as highly functioning and independent, while relatives said he had been prescribed strong medication. Keepers fired five acoustic blasts to try to drive the tiger, Altai, away; Chapman died at the scene, and the zoo said the animal would not be euthanised.
- An inquest heard Chapman’s family had concerns about his mental health care.
- The 24-year-old died after entering a tiger enclosure.
- Keepers used five acoustic blasts to try to move the tiger.
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An inquest is a formal hearing that examines how someone died and the circumstances around their death. William Chapman was 24 and had schizophrenia and a history of psychosis; his family said he was receiving care from Doncaster Mental Health Services.
Chapman entered a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on 10 October and was fatally injured. Zoo keepers used acoustic blasts in an attempt to move the tiger, Altai, away. The inquest is also hearing about his family’s concerns over his mental health care before his death.
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The case for
The family’s concerns may point to gaps in continuity, communication or support: someone can appear highly independent while still living with serious mental illness and needing careful follow-up. Reviewing whether his care matched his needs could help identify improvements and prevent other families facing similar failures.
The case against
The account does not establish that mental health services failed or that different care would have prevented Chapman’s death. His treatment and independence may have reflected individual clinical judgements, while the fatal event occurred after he entered a dangerous animal enclosure; conclusions should await the inquest’s evidence.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Tiger attack victim’s family expressed concern about his contact with mental health services before he was mauled to death at Yorkshire zoo, inquest hears”.