The heartbroken father of 21-year-old Finbar Sullivan, who was brutally stabbed to death at the scenic beauty spot Primrose Hill in North London, has spoken out for the first time about the shocking circumstances that led his quiet, creative son to the park on that fateful sunny evening.

Christopher Sullivan, 65, a legendary figure in London’s nightlife as the founder of the iconic Wag Club and 1980s band Blue Rondo à la Turk, revealed that Finbar had simply gone to Primrose Hill to test out a brand-new camera he received as a birthday gift. The aspiring videographer and filmmaking student wanted to capture footage on what should have been a peaceful spring evening with stunning views across the London skyline.

But what started as an innocent creative outing for a young man who rarely left the house turned into a nightmare when a sudden brawl erupted around 6.41pm on Tuesday. Finbar was fatally stabbed at the popular viewing point, while another man in his mid-20s was also injured and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. No arrests have been made, and police are urgently appealing for witnesses and anyone with mobile phone footage of the chaotic fight.

Sources close to the Sullivan family say Christopher is still struggling to process how his only son ended up in the middle of such violence in one of London’s most upmarket parks. Reports from those who knew Finbar paint a picture of a studious, introverted young man who lived with his father in a £1million flat in Maida Vale. He was described as a “middle-class kid with long hair” who preferred staying indoors editing videos six nights a week rather than going out drinking or socialising. He did not drink and was not involved in any gang activity, according to his devastated dad.

Christopher told reporters he received a call around 6.30pm and rushed to the park but was unable to get close to the scene. “This is the worst tragedy I could ever imagine,” he said. “He’s my only son… I had him when I was 45. He can never be replaced.” He emphasised that Finbar was a “beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving boy” who followed in the creative footsteps of his grandfather, renowned cinematographer Michael Seresin, who worked on films like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Rambo III.

Finbar had been studying at the London Film Academy and had recently built a name for himself as a videographer for UK drill and rap artists under the name Sully Shot It. He frequently posted his work on social media and was known among collaborators as “the most clean-hearted guy” who always showed up reliably. On that Tuesday evening, he left the house saying goodbye to his father, new camera around his neck, simply wanting to enjoy the beautiful weather and film a little.

Investigators from the Metropolitan Police, led by Det Insp Andy Griffin, are treating the death as murder and are following several lines of inquiry. Eyewitnesses described a sudden commotion involving a group of youths, most appearing around 18 or 19 years old, with punches thrown and screams echoing across the busy park. Social media footage captured moments of the fight, including one individual appearing to pull out a knife and charge at another. Police have increased patrols in the area and are urging anyone with information, photos, or videos to come forward immediately.

Christopher has expressed deep shock at the location of the attack. “It’s Primrose Hill, for God’s sake… it’s like Hyde Park. It’s not somewhere you expect this,” he said, calling it an “indiscriminate stabbing” and a warning to everyone that such random violence can happen to anybody, regardless of background. He believes his son may have been targeted because of the visible new camera, though he insists Finbar was not the confrontational type and had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The tragedy has sent ripples through London’s creative community, with tributes pouring in from rap artists Finbar had worked with, including GGL Wuni, who called him “my brother, my family” and vowed never to let his name fade. This is not the first violent incident at Primrose Hill — in December 2023, 16-year-old Harry Pitman was fatally stabbed there in a case that led to a lengthy prison sentence for the attacker.

As the investigation continues at pace, Finbar’s father remains broken-hearted, highlighting the contrast between his son’s quiet, focused life behind the camera and the sudden eruption of violence in a place meant for relaxation and enjoyment. The family has suffered a devastating loss, and Christopher’s words serve as a stark reminder of how quickly an ordinary evening can turn tragic in even the most picturesque parts of the city.

Friends and neighbours in the affluent Camden area are left questioning how safety in public parks can no longer be taken for granted. With no arrests yet and multiple lines of inquiry open, the full story of what sparked the fatal brawl that claimed Finbar Sullivan’s young life is still unfolding.