Emily Finn Murder Case: A Promising Life Cut Short
On the morning of November 27, 2025, just before Thanksgiving, the Long Island community was shaken by a devastating tragedy that would leave an entire town mourning. Eighteen-year-old Emily Finn was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, 17-year-old Austin Lynch, in what authorities described as a botched murder-suicide attempt. The case of Emily Finn and Austin Lynch has since sparked crucial conversations about teen dating violence, mental health, and the devastating consequences of heartbreak.
WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE >> HAUNTING: The Ballet Star Who Never Made It Home for Thanksgiving - Emily Finn
Who Was Emily Finn? A Bright Star Dimmed Too Soon
Emily Teresa Finn was the embodiment of youth, promise, and compassion. The West Sayville native graduated from Sayville High School in June 2025 and had just begun her freshman year at SUNY Oneonta, where she was studying Early Childhood/Elementary Education with a minor in Dance.
Emily Finn Ballet Legacy
Emily spent over four years at the American Ballet Studio in Bayport, where she performed in multiple productions of The Nutcracker, eventually landing the lead role in last year's production. Her dedication extended beyond her own dancing—she taught younger students, trained rigorously four or more days a week, and served as the studio's fundraising president.
Artistic director Kathy Kairns-Scholz remembered Emily as someone exceptional. She was described as dedicated, someone who worked 100 percent all the time, picked up choreography quickly, and was a beautiful performer. Her friends knew her as "Emmie," a patient soul who could craft anything, bake anything, and always knew what to do when someone needed help.
The Fatal Day: November 27, 2025
What Happened to Emily Finn?
The tragedy unfolded on a Wednesday morning that should have been filled with Thanksgiving preparations and family joy. Emily Finn was home from SUNY Oneonta for the Thanksgiving break when she went to visit her ex-boyfriend Austin Lynch at his Nesconset home to return his belongings after their recent breakup.
At approximately 11:10 a.m., at 134 Shenandoah Blvd. North in Nesconset, Austin Lynch shot Emily Finn to death before shooting himself in the face. Lynch's parents called 911 after hearing the gunshots, and Emily was pronounced dead at the scene.
Austin Lynch: The Ex-Boyfriend Turned Killer
Austin Lynch was just 17 years old at the time of the shooting—one day shy of his 18th birthday, which fell on Thanksgiving. He spent his 18th birthday in a hospital bed at Stony Brook University Hospital in critical but stable condition.
According to a family friend who spoke to the press, the relationship between Emily and Austin was described as "young puppy love that stopped making sense," and the breakup devastated Lynch. The friend noted that most teenage relationships don't work out, but this one ended with unthinkable violence.
Sources indicated the couple had been together for approximately three and a half years but split when Finn left for college, with Emily saying it was time for her to move on and wanting freedom and fun.
The Weapon: A Legally Owned Shotgun
The weapon used in the tragedy was a legally owned shotgun, and Austin Lynch fired two shots—one that killed Emily Finn and another that he turned on himself. Tragically, Lynch survived his self-inflicted wound, a grim twist in what authorities labeled a botched murder-suicide.
Emily Finn Ex-Boyfriend Charges
Austin Lynch faces second-degree murder charges and will be arraigned when he has recovered sufficiently from his injuries. Due to New York's Raise the Age law, the court will determine whether he is charged as an adult or in family court.
Lynch had recently joined the Marines prior to the shooting, adding another layer of complexity to understanding how such a seemingly promising young man could commit such a heinous act.
A Community United in Pink: Mourning Emily Finn
Why Mourners Wore Pink to Emily Finn's Funeral
The devastating reason mourners wore pink to Emily Finn's services speaks volumes about who she was. Pink was Emily's favorite color, and her family requested that attendees wear a splash of pink to honor her love of life.
More than a thousand mourners packed the Raynor & D'Andrea Funeral Home in West Sayville, many dressed in pink—wearing pink sweaters, ribbons, bandanas, boots, jackets, and bows. On display were Emily's pink ballet slippers, a poster of her with her flute from the high school marching band, and reminders of her many academic achievements.
Emily's mother, Cliantha, wore a pink sweater, and Emily was to be cremated with her ashes displayed in a pink box alongside a bouquet of pink flowers.
Pink Ribbons for Emily Finn
Emily's closest friends—Katelyn Guterwill, 18, Brynne Ballan, 18, and Maya Truglio, 16—tied pink ribbons around the trees outside the American Ballet Studio in Bayport. These three young women, who called Emily "Emmie," have planned to honor their friend with matching tattoos of their group chat name, "oh sugar."
Brynne Ballan also carries a second tattoo on her right arm reading "Love, Emmie," copied exactly from Finn's handwriting on an old card.
The Prom Photos That Haunt: Emily Finn and Austin Lynch
Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this case is the stark contrast between past and present. Just months before the murder, prom photos showed Emily Finn and Austin Lynch as a seemingly happy young couple. In the June photos still visible on Emily's Instagram, she smiled as she looked lovingly at him, pinned a corsage on her date, and posed with friends beneath a floral arch and beside a carriage.
Emily had captioned the prom photos simply: "Prom with my favorite people 🩷"—using the pink heart emoji that would later become a symbol of her memory.
Lynch's mother's Facebook cover photo even included Emily in a family beach group shot, showing what once appeared to be a close-knit relationship.
Emily Finn GoFundMe: Community Support Surges
The outpouring of love and support for Emily's family has been overwhelming. Heather Corcoran of West Sayville organized a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $80,000 from over 1,200 donations.
The GoFundMe description notes that Emily "was a part of the fabric of the lives she touched in her generous and kind way" and "leaves a hole in the lives of her mother, father, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends".
In lieu of flowers, Emily's family requested donations be made to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, transforming their personal tragedy into a call for awareness and change.
Remembering Emily: Legacy and Tributes
Emily Finn Ballet Studio Memorial
The American Ballet Studio has announced they will line the studio with pink ribbons, establish a scholarship in Emily's name, and dedicate this year's Nutcracker performance to her memory.
Teacher Megan Scholz recalled Emily's arrival at the studio at age 12 as a quiet, sweet, unsure student who grew into a determined and inspiring leader who everyone looked up to.
Emily Finn Memorial Tree
The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, announced that a tree will be planted in Emily's honor at the Finger Lakes National Forest in upstate New York as part of their Trees for Peace Youth Gun Violence Memorial program.
Daniel Chapin, founder of the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation, stated powerfully: "Emily Finn was more than a tragic statistic; she was a promise of brilliance, a passionate dancer whose grace on the stage represented the beautiful potential of youth, a potential cut short by a bullet".
Sayville Community Response
Weekend community events including the Sayville Holiday Parade and Miracle on Main tree lighting were canceled following Emily's death. Grief counselors were made available to students.
The Sayville Alumni Association released a statement expressing their devastation, noting that Emily's death "leaves an indelible void where a future of promise once stood" and that they lost "one of its brightest lights to a senseless and unimaginable tragedy".
The Warning Signs: Teen Dating Violence
Understanding the Emily Finn Case
This tragedy highlights critical issues surrounding teen dating violence and mental health. Suffolk County Police stated there was no domestic history between the teens and no prior 911 calls at the Nesconset residence involving Finn and the suspect.
A family friend who knew Lynch tried to explain the incomprehensible: "The frontal lobe is still undeveloped and not equipped to handle and process these emotions. I went through breakups when I was younger and they're awful but I never contemplated doing anything like this".
Emily Finn's Family: Surviving Unimaginable Loss
Emily is survived by her parents, Cliantha and Ryan, her brother Kyle, and her grandparents Gerard and Joann Vanella, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.
At the wake, Emily's father Ryan and brother Kyle stood alongside their devastated mother, hugging weeping mourners who came to pay their respects.
Friends who attended spoke of Emily's special qualities. One friend named Heather shared: "She just had that special spark. She was so full of life, and she loved her family and her brother and her grandparents so much. All she ever wanted was to do good for the world, and it all got taken away, just like that".
Final Thoughts: A Life That Mattered
Emily Finn's murder is more than a true crime story—it's a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of unprocessed emotions and access to firearms. She was a talented ballerina, a dedicated teacher-in-training, a beloved friend, and a cherished daughter and sister whose light was extinguished far too soon.
Her friends captured it perfectly when they said: "There are no words to describe that… forever, in everything we do. She'll always be with us".
As her community continues to heal, they've ensured that Emily Finn's name will be remembered not as a victim, but as a vibrant young woman whose passion for dance, dedication to others, and love of life continue to inspire all who knew her.
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