Cian Chantrill: Family mourn hugely popular student music producer, performer, pub barman and Coventry City fan found dead at university in Manchester aged just 20
Talented musician Cian Chantrill is being mourned across Bishop’s Stortford this week after his sudden death aged just 20.
The popular barman at the Castle and Bridge House pubs passed away at university in Manchester, where he was enjoying his first term studying for a degree in electronic music production at BIMM Music Institute.
His father, Grant, said Cian was found in a bathroom at his halls of residence on Saturday (October 28). He was last seen on Thursday (Oct 26).
“He was enjoying mixing with people who had similar interests and creating the music he loved,” Grant said.
It is believed Cian died of natural causes, but his devastated family will know more after a post mortem, which was due to take place on Tuesday (Oct 31).
Grant told the Indie that Cian had recently suffered from tonsillitis and Covid-19, but there was nothing to suggest he was seriously unwell. He had been due to return home on November 9.
As well as his dad, who lives in Bishop’s Stortford and runs Roman Grant Barbers at Havers Parade, Cian leaves mum Sharon, a care worker who lives in Hunsdon, younger brother Teddy, a 16-year-old student at Hoddesdon’s Robert Barclay Academy, and big brother Callum Patterson.
The family have been inundated with hundreds of messages of condolence on social media, reflecting Cian’s popularity.
The former pupil of Hunsdon primary and Chauncy School secondary in Ware was a familiar face helping out at his dad’s barbers, where the “social butterfly” was a favourite with customers.
The outgoing youngster was a member of Bishop’s Stortford Musical Theatre Company’s youth group, now Bishop’s Stortford Academy of Performing Arts, for 10 years.
He had roles in its productions of Hairspray and Legally Blonde, but more recently used his talents backstage, helping with sound and lighting.
Grant said his son was equally at ease with his young peers, honing his scooter skills at the skate park in Sworder’s Field, as with the pensioners he served at the pub.
“He loved everybody and everybody loved him. He was friends with everyone.”
That cross-generational appeal was evident in his love of darts – he was a talented player for the Castle’s team in the Herts and Essex league. Grant said the pub and its regulars were Cian’s “spiritual home”.
When he was younger, he turned out for Bishop’s Stortford Swifts football team and, like his dad, was a passionate supporter of Coventry City Football Club.
The last match the pair attended was the EFL Championship play-off final in May, which their club lost to Luton Town on penalties. It was typical of Cian’s sunny outlook on life that he remained upbeat despite the disappointment.
His ambition was to become a music producer and his recording name, ProdBy5ky, is a play on his middle name of Sky, a reference to Coventry City’s nickname, the Sky Blues.
His last recording was a track called Half a Man. Grant said: “He was super-talented.”
His mission now is to fulfil Cian’s dream of “getting his music out there”.