Tributes paid to Birmingham nightclub stabbing victim
Semi-professional footballer Cody Fisher was attacked while on a night out with friends.
Last updated 27th Dec 2022
The family of a 23-year-old man who died after being stabbed at a nightclub in Birmingham on Boxing Day have said his loss is "heart-breaking".
Cody Fisher was attacked in the Crane venue in Adderley Street, Digbeth, just before 11.45pm last night (26 December).
Mr Fisher, who had been in the Birmingham City FC Academy, had been on a night out with friends when he was approached by a group of people and stabbed.
A statement shared by West Midlands Police from the victim's 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."
Despite efforts to save Mr Fisher, he was pronounced dead around half an hour after officers were called to the scene.
Revellers at the nightclub criticised security searches at the event and recalled a "moody" atmosphere inside the venue.
Mr Fisher played for Stratford Town FC, who are in the Southern League Premier Division Central. He had also played for Bromsgrove Sporting.
Bromsgrove Sporting described Mr Fisher as "a friend to many" at the club and sent its deepest condolences to his family in a statement posted on social media.
It said: "All of us at Bromsgrove Sporting Football Club are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cody Fisher.
"Cody was a friend to many at the club and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
The Crane cancelled its New Year's Eve event in light of the incident and said it was working closely with police as they continue to investigate.
A statement posted on the club's Instagram page said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened that a man lost his life last night as our Boxing Day event came to a close. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family and friends.
"We are working closely with West Midlands Police as they investigate this crime. We encourage anybody who witnessed this incident, or has any information to share which may help West Midlands Police, to contact them directly.
"We do not feel it is right to hold our New Years Eve event under these circumstances. All ticket holders will be contacted directly and refunded by the relevant ticket providers."
Police said hundreds of people were in attendance at the nightclub at the time of the stabbing and urged any witnesses to come forward.
Detective Inspector 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 while evidence is gathered and neighbourhood officers will be patrolling the area over the coming days to offer reassurance.