Obituary: Family of Mohammed Aftab pay tribute

Mohammed Aftab

The family of Mohammed Aftab, who was found dead on Christmas Day, have paid tribute to him.

His body was discovered on Dyehouse Lane at around 8.15am; the 21-year-old had suffered multiple head injuries and stab wounds to his neck.

A murder investigation was launched and a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.

Paying tribute, his father, Altaf Hussain, said: “There are no words to describe what has happened, what we have lost and what we can now never gain.

"You only ever ask that your children look after you, but this has now been taken away from me as a parent.

"As a young child Aftab was very active, he used to visit the Mosque and go to karate. Aftab loved football, he was an avid Arsenal supporter. Aftab would regularly go to prayers and he also went to an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca with his mother.

"We ask as a family why someone so vibrant and full of life has now been taken from us?

“Aftab was an older brother to his sisters, although they were older, they and his younger brother idolised him. This has been a devastating loss to all the family.

"Aftab had respect and love for people from all walks of life.

"You see these things happen to other people but can never comprehend it when it happens to you.

"We all loved him from the bottom of our hearts and will miss him.

“Aftab was a bubbly person, he was loving towards all his family, exactly what you can expect from a son.

"Nobody had a bad word to say about Aftab, this has left all his friends and family heartbroken.

"In the last few days we have had unimaginable support from people including those we have not known.

"We are thankful for everyone’s love and support shown, especially those from the Rochdale community.

“I would like to thank the police for their support at this very difficult time.

"My only concern is that no family should endure what we have, the loss of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him.”