Months after William Chapman died in a tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, details about his life in Doncaster have emerged through accounts from neighbours and people who knew him. Among the most striking revelations were his quiet habits, his love of spending time alone, and a remark he once made to a local bar manager about talking to himself.
Chapman died after climbing into a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. During the inquest into his death, it was heard that he suffered multiple traumatic injuries and died as a result of “animal interaction”. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy have since drawn attention to his life before the incident, particularly his experiences while living independently in Doncaster.
His neighbours, Kelsey Smith, 18, and Joshua Anderson, 23, lived next door to Chapman in a block of flats in Doncaster in July 2026. Their recollections painted a picture of a reserved young man who generally kept to himself and appeared to have relatively few people around him.
According to Joshua, Chapman seemed to have moved to Yorkshire in search of a fresh start. The couple said they had never seen family members visiting his flat, and Chapman rarely spoke about his background or his previous life.
“He never said why he was in Doncaster, or if he was receiving any mental health care,” Joshua explained. He added that Chapman had never told them he was an actor or discussed his schooling. To his neighbours, he was simply a quiet young man who appeared to prefer his own company.
One particular conversation stood out to Joshua. Chapman had once told the bar manager at a nearby pub not to worry about him talking to himself, explaining that it was part of who he was. The comment offered a glimpse into Chapman’s everyday life and the way he approached his interactions with others.
Joshua said Chapman could sometimes be seen sitting alone at a bus stop or standing near the council building with his headphones on. He also enjoyed hiking and frequently visited the Peak District, activities that appeared to bring him enjoyment and peace.
“He often went hiking and into the Peak District,” Joshua recalled. “Just enjoying himself, and I think he found peace in that, so for him to be at the zoo wasn’t out of character for him.”
Joshua had known Chapman through his visits to the Ballers Club, a local establishment where he had previously worked. Chapman had been a regular customer for approximately two years, although he rarely socialised with other people.
He would often order either a pint of John Smith’s beer or orange juice. According to Joshua, Chapman did not drink excessively and usually kept his visits simple. He would sometimes struggle to ask for his drink, remain quiet for a while, and then leave.
Despite his reserved nature, Joshua noticed a change in Chapman during the final 12 months of his life. He appeared to become more comfortable speaking with others and gradually began opening up to people.
The inquest also revealed important details about Chapman’s mental health. Senior coroner Nicola Mundy said he had a history of mental illness, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had experienced previous episodes of psychosis. He had also been under the care of adult mental health services in Doncaster.
However, the inquest heard that Chapman was considered highly functioning and independent, with no care requirements. His neighbours’ experiences appeared consistent with their understanding of him as someone who could manage his daily life.
Kelsey, who worked as a barmaid at a pub around the corner from the flats, also remembered Chapman as a regular customer. She said he often visited once a week, ordering orange juice or half a pint of John Smith’s. Although he was generally quiet and reserved, she recalled that he could hold a conversation and speak comfortably when discussing subjects that interested him.
In particular, Kelsey said his personality became more animated whenever the conversation turned to Formula One racing. His enthusiasm for the sport would bring him out of his shell, revealing a more expressive side that people might not immediately notice.
“He was really sweet,” she said. Kelsey also expressed concern that public discussion of his schizophrenia might lead people to misunderstand the person he had been.
“I don’t want people thinking he was a horrible, crazy person; that was not true,” she explained. She added that Chapman was well-spoken, could communicate without difficulty and appeared capable of taking care of himself.
Kelsey acknowledged that he was reserved around people he did not know, but stressed that this did not define his entire personality. In her experience, he was approachable and able to engage in conversations, particularly when talking about his interests.
Together, these recollections offer a more personal account of William Chapman beyond the tragic circumstances of his death. His neighbours remembered a young man who valued solitude, enjoyed hiking and Formula One, and had gradually become more willing to speak with those around him.
Although the exact reasons Chapman entered the tiger enclosure remain a matter of speculation, Joshua suggested that he might have misunderstood what he was doing, while acknowledging that he could not know for certain.
Ultimately, those who knew Chapman described him as quiet, independent and kind. Their memories highlight the importance of looking beyond the circumstances of the tragedy and recognising the individual whose life ended in such devastating circumstances.