A family today issued a moving tribute after police named the victim of a fatal Boxing Day stabbing at a Birmingham nightclub.
Cody Fisher, 23, a semi-professional footballer, died shortly after being attacked in The Crane nightclub on Adderley Street in Digbeth just before 11.45pm on December 26.
A murder investigation has been launched. Tonight, West Midlands Police issued a statement on behalf of his family.
The family said: "They have broken our hearts; I have lost my best friend. My family and I are asking for privacy and respectfulness at this heart-breaking time."
Detectives are viewing CCTV from the nightclub and are urging anyone who was in the area at the time to get in touch. No suspect has been arrested.
Tributes from across the footballing world and beyond have poured in for Redditch-born Cody, who was a defender. The talented left-back was previously part of Birmingham City FC's academy and played as a Walsall FC youth trainee before making senior appearances for Stratford Town, Stourbridge FC and Bromsgrove Sporting, BirminghamLive reported.
In September 2021, he was named as fans' man of the match after scoring for Bromsgrove in his debut during a 2-0 FA Cup win. Cody featured for Alvechurch ahead of the 2018/19 season before signing for Stratford Town in September 2018. There, he went on to establish himself as a first-team regular.
In August 2021, Bromsgrove Sporting announced they were 'thrilled' to have bagged the youngster. At the time, former manager Bren Kelly called Cody a 'very good player'.
Tonight Det Insp Michelle Thurgood, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a young man enjoying himself with friends on a Boxing Day night out and our thoughts are with his friends and family today.
"We know there were hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time. While we’ve spoken to a number of them already, we still need to hear from anyone who was there and who witnessed or even filmed what happened.
"We believe that the victim was approached by a group of people, and was then stabbed, so we’re working hard to identify all of those involved.”
The scene remains closed today while officers gather evidence, and neighbourhood officers will be patrolling the area over the coming days to offer reassurance.
Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch via Live Chat, quoting log 3792 of 26 December. Alternatively, submit information, pictures or video here. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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