An inquest at the Doncaster coroner’s court is currently examining the death of 24-year-old William Chapman, who was killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Evidence presented at the hearing confirmed that Chapman gained access to the animal's enclosure after climbing over two separate fences.

While the BBC focuses primarily on the physical actions taken by Chapman to enter the restricted area, The Guardian provides additional context regarding his medical history. According to testimony from his family, Chapman had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had experienced bouts of psychosis. His family expressed concerns during the inquest regarding the level of support he received from local mental health services prior to the incident. Despite his diagnosis, his family described him as a highly functioning and independent individual who did not have formal care requirements at the time of his death.

The inquest remains ongoing as officials work to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the fatal encounter. The investigation is expected to weigh both the physical security measures at the wildlife park and the adequacy of the mental health support provided to Chapman leading up to the incident.