Finbar Sullivan Vigil: Suggs Sings at Primrose Hill for Stabbed Student

Published: 27 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a moving display of community resilience, hundreds of people gathered at the summit of Primrose Hill on Sunday evening to honor the life of Finbar Sullivan, a 21-year-old filmmaking student who was fatally stabbed in the north London park on April 7. As balloons were released into the twilight sky, Madness frontman Graham “Suggs” McPherson performed a poignant rendition of It Must Be Love, transforming a site of recent tragedy into what Finbar’s parents described as a “show of love, unity, and peace.”

Finbar, affectionately known as “Fin” and a student at the London Screen Academy, had been at the park to test a new camera he received for his 21st birthday when he was caught in a fatal altercation. His father, the renowned Welsh musician and Wag Club founder Chris Sullivan, stood alongside Finbar’s mother, Leah Seresin, as they watched a diverse “diaspora” of friends, family, and strangers pay their respects.

Speaking after the vigil, Chris Sullivan expressed his profound pride in the turnout, which included music legends like Paul Weller, Kevin Rowland, Bobby Gillespie, and Glen Matlock.

The Magnetism of Fin: “I’m not surprised so many people came,” his father said. “Finbar was like a magnet for people. He was full of jokes and a really loving person. He was all I ever thought about.”

A Lasting Legacy: Sullivan stated that he hoped his son’s memory would inspire “unity and love and peace” rather than division. “They did us proud,” he added, referring to the multicultural crowd that filled the park.

The “Amputation” of Grief: In a raw moment of reflection, he compared the loss of his son to having both legs cut off: “You always remember they’re gone, and you never forget them, but it will always be difficult to deal with. I’m not expecting an easy journey.”

Finbar was a rising talent in the UK’s filmmaking scene, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, the world-renowned cinematographer Michael Seresin (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).

A New Collaboration: It was revealed that shortly before his death, Finbar had collaborated with Joe Corre, the son of Vivienne Westwood, on a film project.

The “Sully” Tributes: The park gates were adorned with bunches of flowers and photographs of the young student, with many tributes simply reading “RIP Sully.”

A Minute’s Silence: The music and speeches were punctuated by a minute of total silence, broken only by the wind across the viewpoint where Finbar spent his final moments.

As the community mourns, the Metropolitan Police investigation continues.

Four Charged: Three men—Ernest Boateng (25), Alexis Bidace (25), and Oliuwadamilola Ogunyankinnu (27)—have been charged with Finbar’s murder.

Related Charges: A fourth man, Khalid Abdulqadir (18), has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second victim, as well as violent disorder and possession of a knife.

The vigil on Primrose Hill served as a stark contrast to the violence of earlier this month. For the families of North London, the “Digital Iron Curtain” of crime reports was briefly lifted to reveal a community that refused to be defined by fear. As Suggs’ voice faded over the London skyline, the message from Finbar’s parents was clear: while their son’s life was stolen, the “magnetism” of his spirit remains a force for good in a city searching for healing.

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