A former child actor who jumped into an enclosure at a British zoo and was mauled to death by a Siberian tiger had suffered for years from mental illness that required “strong” medication.
\n\nThe family of 23-year-old William Chapman broke its silence in a statement issued three days after his death at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park where horrified onlookers had watched the entire encounter after he entered the big cat’s domain.
\n\n“The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,” according to the family’s statement to the Independent.
\n\n“William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication,” they said. “The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their utmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did.”
\n\nThe statement did not specify what mental disorder Chapman had.
\n\nThe family also remembered Chapman as “a bright, warm, and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved — and William loved them back,” the statement said.
\n\nChapman actually shared a video on social media Saturday, moments before he walked up to Altai, a 420-pound Siberian tiger…
Original source: https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/
