London [UK], October 16: The family of William Chapman, who was killed by a tiger at a wildlife park, have said "deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress" after US President Donald Trump reposted a widely shared video of the incident.
Trump posted footage of Chapman being fatally attacked by a tiger at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park to 13 million followers on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday evening.
The 23-year-old's family posted a tribute, also on Tuesday evening, describing him as a "bright, warm and engaging young man", criticizing the online reaction to his death and questioning what part his "significant mental illness over a number of years" and prescribed strong medication played in the incident.
The US president accompanied the short clip - which showed the animal biting and clawing Chapman as he sat in the enclosure, but not him being killed - with the signed message: "Don't ever mess with nature!" On Wednesday morning Trump followed this up with another post - this time an AI-generated video of him grappling with a tiger, which appears to mimic the original.
The clip, which is accompanied by the Tight Fit hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," features the president copying the pointing gesture made by Chapman, and ends with him hugging the animal.
An inquest is due to open into the death at Doncaster Coroner's Court on Thursday morning.
Chapman, who was mauled to death when he entered the tiger enclosure at the park Doncaster on Saturday, had suffered from "significant mental illness over a number of years," the family said in their statement.
"The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened," they said.
"The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.
"The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did." In the statement, his family added: "William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved - and William loved them back.
"Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication."
Source: Qatar Tribune