Family mourn ‘kind’ student stabbed to death on football social night out

Undated family handout photo issued by Hampshire Constabulary of Henry Nowak, 18, who died after suffering a stab wound to the chest while on a night out with his football team-mates. Mr Nowak, suffered a puncture wound to his chest and two to the back of his leg during an altercation with two men in Belmont Road, Portswood, Southampton, on Wednesday. He died at the scene. Issue date: Sunday December 7, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Family Handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Henry Nowak was stabbed to death during a night out with football teammates on Wednesday (Picture: PA)

Tributes have been paid to a ‘kind, intelligent and talented’ student who was stabbed to death on a night out.

Henry Nowak was stabbed in the chest and leg in a fight while he was out with his football teammates in Southampton on Wednesday night.

The 18-year-old from Essex was studying accountancy and finance at Southampton University and played for two football teams as well as working part time at Morrisons.

Two men, aged 22 and 26, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are being held in custody.

His family said in a statement: ‘Our kind, intelligent, and talented son was in his first year at Southampton University studying accountancy and finance.

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‘Henry was loved by all those that knew him. He was an incredible son, brother, cousin, grandson, nephew, friend and teammate. He was an all-round top lad and everyone who was lucky enough to share his company thought the same.

‘Our hearts ache when we think of the bright future he had ahead of him, full of opportunity and adventures.

‘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.

‘We are so proud of him and all he achieved.

‘Our world will never be the same without our amazing Henry.’

A man, 52, was released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police have also arrested a 52-year-old woman on suspicion of assisting an offender, who remains in custody.

Officers are appealing for CCTV footage from between 10pm and 2am between the Portswood and St Denys areas.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘The investigation, led by our major crime team, is ongoing, and we remain keen to speak with any witnesses who have not yet been in touch with us.

‘Our local neighbourhood policing team have also been carrying out additional patrols in the area since the incident occurred.’

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