At the top of Finbar Sullivan's Instagram page, the words 'Go chase your dreams' still stand as a poignant reminder of his aspirations. The young film student, who had recently celebrated his 21st birthday, was actively pursuing those dreams on Tuesday when he ventured out into the sunshine of London's Primrose Hill. Armed with a new Sony camera purchased with his birthday money—broadcast quality, reflecting his commitment to a future in filmmaking—he headed to the hill, not far from his home in Maida Vale.
A Legacy of Storytelling
Finbar, the grandson of legendary cinematographer Michael Seresin, grew up with an innate understanding of film. His grandfather, known for shaping the visual style of iconic Hollywood films such as Bugsy Malone, Midnight Express, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, often described his work as 'telling stories with cameras, lenses, light.' Finbar seemed destined to follow in these creative footsteps.
The Fateful Afternoon
It was a glorious afternoon in the capital, and Finbar would have recognized the approaching 'magic hour'—when the sun dips and casts a golden light—as an opportunity to capture spectacular images. He left his home around 4:30 PM, telling his father, artist and musician Chris Sullivan, that he would return later to cook dinner. Arriving at Primrose Hill by 5 PM, he planned to meet friends, including his best mate AJ, who was home from Nottingham University for the Easter break.
The group intended to enjoy a typical sunny afternoon in London: lounging, playing music—Finbar produced videos for up-and-coming rappers under the name Sully Shot It—and chatting. However, by 6:41 PM, the police were called to reports of a fight at the summit of Primrose Hill, where Finbar had been fatally stabbed. He suffered multiple wounds, including a fatal injury to his leg that severed an artery. AJ was also wounded, possibly while trying to protect Finbar, and staggered into a nearby pub seeking refuge.
Frantic Efforts to Save a Life
Horrified bystanders, including a woman with a son Finbar's age, attempted to save his life, holding and comforting him as paramedics performed CPR for 20 minutes. By the time his distraught father arrived, alerted by friends, Finbar was pronounced dead at the scene. Footage of the altercation quickly circulated on social media, showing Finbar pulling up his trousers and stumbling away while holding a bag, with AJ seen punching a man holding a knife before backing away.
A Family's Devastation
Finbar's heartbroken father, Chris Sullivan, spoke to the Daily Mail about the family's utter devastation and bewilderment. Chris and Finbar's mother, Leah Seresin—also a film-maker like her father—are divorced, but Finbar was their adored only child. Describing his son as 'beautiful, lovely, outgoing,' Chris emphasized that Finbar was 'just a little groovy 21-year-old who loved movies and making films. He didn't drink, he didn't smoke, he didn't go out.' He categorically denied any gang involvement, noting that Finbar would avoid areas with gangs when riding his scooter to school.
The Last Phone Call
We can reveal that Finbar was on the phone with a friend when the violence erupted. Fellow film student Raphael Bishop-Sauve, shaking as he recounted the events, called Finbar at 6:39 PM—just two minutes before the emergency call to police. Raphael, who works as an actor, had arranged to meet Finbar later in Soho for a writing session. During their two-minute conversation, Finbar mentioned he was with friends and planned to come down on a Lime bike, but the call abruptly went silent with sounds of screaming and heavy breathing.
Raphael, left in shock, described Finbar as an 'angelic soul' with a 'pure heart' who was ambitious and hardworking, having built a website for his videography. He expressed concern for AJ, who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and lamented the senselessness of the attack: 'God knows why they were attacked. They were just having a day up on the hill.'
A Community in Mourning
Friends from Maida Vale gathered this week to pay their respects, playing Finbar's favorite reggae music—his first love, despite his work in the rap world. Sam Smedley, 21, an electrician, remembered Finbar as kind, respected for being a problem solver, and popular among his peers. On Wednesday, Chris Sullivan paid an emotional tribute, calling his son 'very, very handsome' and 'like an angel,' and vowing to dedicate the rest of his life to preserving Finbar's legacy.
Rising Violence in a 'Safe' Area
Finbar's death has sent shockwaves through Primrose Hill, an area in one of London's wealthiest neighborhoods, home to notable residents like Alan Bennett, Daniel Craig, and Jude Law. Despite its traditionally 'safe' image, the hill has seen increasing violence, including the stabbing death of 16-year-old Harry Pitman on New Year's Eve in 2023. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, MP for the area, previously called for permanent gates to be installed due to reports of fights and disturbances; gates are now in place but only close during limited hours on weekends in summer.
Police have appealed for witnesses, particularly those who may have captured footage on their cameras, as social media videos of the fight have emerged. The killer remains at large, and investigators are examining whether Finbar was involved in the fight or indiscriminately attacked. This tragic ending is far from the story this young storyteller envisioned when he set out with his new camera, leaving a community to grapple with the loss of a promising life cut short.
