The family of a teenage boy stabbed to death shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve in north London have spoken of their devastation at his murder.
Officers were called at 11.40pm after Harry Pitman, 16, was knifed in Primrose Hill, Camden, the Metropolitan Police said.
Primrose Hill is a popular spot for people watching the fireworks on New Year’s Eve and police said it was busy at the time of the incident.
The schoolboy was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midnight despite attempts at first aid by police and paramedics from London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance.
A 16-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed pending further investigation, the force said on Tuesday.
Harry's sister Tayla, 19, said his mother Amanda Woolveridge, 37, was so upset she could not remove from her oven the dinner she made Harry on the night he died.
Tayla, from Tottenham, told MailOnline: “It doesn’t seem real, I keep on expecting him to come through the front door.
"His dinner is still in the oven, Mum can’t bring herself to remove it.
“He was the middle child of five. He has a four-year-old brother and a five-year-old sister. We haven’t told them what’s happened yet, we don’t know how to.
“Harry was my baby brother, he was the most handsome boy you could ever meet.
"Harry could be mischievous and cheeky and he could really wind me up at times. But he didn’t have a bad bone in his body. He always stood up for what is right.”
She added: “I hope whoever has done this knows they haven’t just taken a life, they’ve destroyed a whole family and community.
“I hope that thought eats away at them for the rest of their life.”
Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Grogan, who is leading the investigation, said: "My thoughts and sympathies are with Harry's family and friends at this difficult time. He was a young man with the rest of his life ahead of him.
"His family are understandably devastated and specially trained officers are supporting them as they come to terms with their loss.
"A dedicated team of detectives are working hard to establish the events that led to such a senseless act of violence. We are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and are carrying out a forensic examination of the scene.
"We know Harry was with a group of friends near the viewing platform on Primrose Hill where they had gathered to celebrate the New Year. It is here where we believe Harry became involved in an altercation with devastating consequences.
"Primrose Hill was very busy at the time and I believe there are people who witnessed the incident who have not yet spoken to police.
“It is vital that we build a clear picture of the moments leading up to, and immediately after, Harry's murder and I need anyone with information about the altercation, or the attack, to contact us immediately."
The teenager was the 22nd teenager to be killed in London in 2023, 18 of whom were fatally stabbed.
