The inquest into the death of 24-year-old William Harry Bruce Chapman opened at Doncaster Coroner’s Court on October 15, 2026, centering on the mental health care he received before he entered a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Chapman, a self-employed online trader living in Doncaster, died on October 10, 2026, from multiple traumatic injuries. According to the opening hearing, he had climbed two separate fences to enter the Amur tiger enclosure while visiting the park alone. Paramedics confirmed his death at the scene after park staff secured the animal.
BREAKING: The family of Yorkshire Wildlife Park tiger attack victim William Chapman, 23, have expressed concerns about his contact with mental health services leading up to his death, an inquest opening has heard.https://t.co/uBLYqfEOMq 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 pic.twitter.com/RMCacMeMQu
Senior Coroner Nicola Mundy told the court that Chapman had a documented history of mental illness, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia and previous episodes of psychosis. He had been under the care of Doncaster Mental Health Services, yet was simultaneously characterized as “highly functioning and independent with no care requirements.”
The family says his contact with these services in the period leading up to the incident was problematic. These concerns form a primary line of inquiry for the coroner, who will examine whether the support provided was appropriate for his medical history.
In response to the death, the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust has launched a formal patient safety investigation. Such reviews are standard procedure following the unexpected death of a patient under mental health care and aim to identify potential failings or necessary improvements to prevent future incidents.
Beyond the mental health inquiry, the City of Doncaster Council has initiated a health and safety investigation into the circumstances at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The coroner has requested that investigators secure and preserve all relevant CCTV footage from the day of the incident.
While industry experts have suggested that the park’s security measures—specifically the two perimeter fences—would typically be considered sufficient to prevent unauthorized access, the council investigation will formally assess the site’s safety protocols. Yorkshire Wildlife Park has remained closed since the incident while these investigations proceed.
The family of the deceased has expressed additional distress regarding the circulation of footage related to the incident on social media. This development has highlighted the broader issue of how unregulated, graphic content can exacerbate the trauma experienced by grieving families in the immediate aftermath of a public tragedy.
The inquest process remains in its preliminary stages. A full inquest, which will address the family’s concerns and the findings from the NHS and council investigations, is scheduled to take place once all independent inquiries have concluded.
