A HEARTBROKEN family has paid tribute to their 'best friend' and 'brother' who died after a fatal stabbing in Reading.

Raheem Hanif, of Tilehurst, Reading, died on Saturday, February 6, after reports of a fight in Dulnan Close in Tilehurst.

Police today formally identified Mr Hanif and said the family is being supported by officers at this difficult time.

ALSO READ: Police name man who was fatally stabbed in Tilehurst as murder investigation continues

Floral tributes have been placed at the scene and the victim's family and friends have posted tributes online.

Among them is Mr Hanif's cousin Hassnain Jamil who said the 26 year old was his "best friend".

Raheem Hanif, 26, of Tilehurst. Pic by Hassnain Jamil

Raheem Hanif, 26, of Tilehurst. Pic by Hassnain Jamil

In his tribute, Hassnain said: "Bro, I’m writing this with so much pain in my heart.

"You wasn’t just my brother, you were my best friend, you were my blood, you were my right arm, you were the person I looked up to.

"You was the person on a bad day if my head was down you would pick me back up, you was the person I trusted most in this world, the person I shared my every happiness with, the person I shared my every secret with.

"I could sit with you for hours and tell you everything that is in my heart and you would only ever advise me good."

Adding: "There wasn’t a single day where I didn’t talk to you or see you, you was absolutely everything I had and now you’ve left me all alone."

The tribute was met online with floods of comments sending tributes including one person who said "This is shocking, he was so young" and adding "no parent should go through this".

Raheem Hanif, 26, of Tilehurst. Pic by Hassnain Jamil

Raheem Hanif, 26, of Tilehurst. Pic by Hassnain Jamil

The tribute from Mr Jamil added: "Bro I write this with floods of tears down my cheeks but with a smile on my face because you taught me smile was sunnah.

"My Cuzzy fly high and rest easy I will love you till the day I die, I will dedicate the rest of my life to your name and make you proud."

Finishing the tribute with "I love you my bro so much".

The tributes come as eight people have been arrested in connection with the murder investigation.

ALSO READ: Teenager appears in court over murder charge after death of man in Tilehurst

Among them a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who appeared at Reading Crown Court today.