Who is Jennifer Abbott aka Sarah Steinberg? All about the British director found dead in London flat

Jennifer Abbott during 2004 Sundance Film Festival - Source: Getty
Jennifer Abbott during 2004 Sundance Film Festival - Source: Getty

A 69-year-old British-American filmmaker named Jennifer Abbott, who made her films under the professional name Sarah Steinberg, was recently discovered dead in her Camden council flat, and a police investigation has led to shocking discoveries.

The Metropolitan Police suspect that Steinberg was killed in a planned robbery, and her diamond-encrusted Rolex is said to be the likely motive. Amidst the tragedy, people are showing interest in Steinberg’s extraordinary but exceedingly obscure legacy.

Sarah Steinberg was found dead on June 13, 2025, by her niece and neighbours who had grown concerned when she was missing for several days.

Reports say that she was found wrapped in a blanket, with tape over her mouth, including around her neck area. According to The Standard, her cherished Corgi, Prince, was supposedly found alive, trapped in the bathroom, and is believed to have survived alone for up to three days. A post-mortem revealed Abbott had died from a stab wound.

She had a successful career in both the UK and Hollywood and was known to some in the industry as Jennifer Abbott.

Sarah Steinberg was a well-known director whose credits include The Magnitude of All Things (2020), The Corporation (2003), and The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel (IMDB). She also made a war-themed documentary titled Gods of War.


A look into neighbours' reports and information involving Sarah Steinberg's death

Steinberg returned to the UK more than a decade ago and had been living in the Camden property for more than 10 years, neighbours said. They stated that she was intelligent, cultured, and private but friendly:

"I knew her quite well as a neighbour we talked about politics and current affairs. She was a vibrant person, smart, very intelligent and she’d done quite a lot of things in her life," Steinberg's neighbour told Mail Online.

Unfortunately, Sarah Steinberg had also recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer and was believed to be recovering from surgery. Some neighbours said she had voiced fears for her safety in the past, particularly over problems with antisocial behaviour in the area.

Reports indicate that the area had experienced problems with squatters and homeless drug users entering buildings, and Abbott had admitted that she no longer felt safe:

"I remember her saying to me that once she had tried coming out of the flat and couldn't get out because of all the druggies out there," the neighbour said.

The day her body was found, neighbours supposedly heard the screams of her niece, who was desperately trying to get into the flat. Finally, a relative forced the door open and found the dead body.

Specialist officers are now supporting her family, and the Metropolitan Police have opened a murder investigation. According to reports, the authorities are specifically interested in Abbott's missing Rolex, which they suspect could be significant evidence. As the investigation continues, Sarah Steinberg's suspected murder has caused discomfort to the whole North London community.

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Edited by Amey Mirashi