William Chapman's family raised concerns about his mental health treatment in the period leading up to his death after he was fatally mauled by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, an inquest was told.
A hearing at Doncaster Coroner's Court heard how Mr Chapman climbed two fences before entering the enclosure and approaching Altai, an Amur tiger, shortly before he suffered fatal injuries on October 10. A post-mortem examination has provisionally concluded that he died from 'multiple traumatic injuries' resulting from the incident.
William, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had previously experienced episodes of psychosis, was under the care of mental health services. His family have since expressed concerns regarding his contact with those services in the lead-up to his death.
Incident details
"He attended Yorkshire Wildlife Park where at 13.31 hours he climbed two fences and entered the tiger enclosure," the coroner explained. "He approached the tiger and, following an interaction, suffered multiple traumatic injuries."
Staff at the wildlife park managed to detain the tiger, the court has heard, and Mr Chapman was declared dead at the scene.
Mental health concerns
An officer at the hearing said: "During my communications with Mr Chapman's family they confirmed he had a history of mental illness, a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis and was under the care of Doncaster Mental Health Services."
"Despite his diagnosis Mr Chapman was highly functioning and independent. His family have expressed a number of concerns in relation to his contact with mental health services leading up to his death."
Investigation and next steps
The coroner continued: "I have been led to believe the Rotherham and Humber South Yorkshire Mental Health Trust have commissioned an independent patient safety investigation."
Opening the inquest, senior coroner Nicola Mundy said: "It is the 15th of October 2026 and this morning I am formally opening the inquest into William Harry Bruce Chapman."
William's family were made aware that the inquest would open on Thursday but declined to attend. Matters have now been adjourned until March 18, 2027.
