The family of an 18-year-old university student have spoken of their 'devastating' loss after he was stabbed to death while walking home from a night out with his new football teammates in Southampton.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Henry Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was in his first year at the University of Southampton, studying accountancy and finance. Described by his heartbroken family as a 'kind, intelligent, and talented son', he had excelled in his A-levels and was fully embracing university life.
He had joined two football teams, made new friends, and was working part-time at a local Morrisons supermarket. On the night of Wednesday, 31st January, he had been celebrating the end of the first semester with his football teammates.
The Fatal Altercation
Tragically, Henry never made it home. He was involved in an altercation with two men on Belmont Road in the Portswood area of Southampton. During the incident, he sustained fatal injuries, including a puncture wound to his chest and two wounds to the back of his leg.
Emergency services were called, but the young student was pronounced dead at the scene. His family said in a poignant statement released through Hampshire Constabulary: 'Our hearts ache when we think of the bright future he had ahead of him, full of opportunity and adventures.'
Police Investigation and Arrests
Hampshire Constabulary's Major Crime Team is leading a murder investigation. A police spokesman confirmed that two men, aged 22 and 26, remain in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.
In a related development, a 51-year-old man who was also arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail. Meanwhile, a 52-year-old woman is in custody on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Police are urgently appealing for information and any witnesses who have not yet come forward. They are particularly keen to obtain any CCTV, dashcam, or other footage from the Portswood and St Denys area between 10pm and 2am on Wednesday night.
'Our local neighbourhood policing team have been carrying out additional patrols in the area since the incident occurred,' the force spokesman added.
A Community in Mourning
Henry's family paid an emotional tribute to a beloved young man. 'Henry was loved by all those that knew him. He was an incredible son, brother, cousin, grandson, nephew, friend and teammate,' they said.
They described him as 'an all-round top lad' whose potential will now never be realised. 'There are no words to describe just how heartbroken we are that we will never get to see him grow and fulfil his awesome potential. Our world will never be the same without our amazing Henry.'
The university community and local residents in Portswood have been left shocked by the violent death of a promising student who had only just begun his adult life.
