The family and friends of a brilliant Kingston University student who died after being attacked over a chocolate bar have paid tribute to him.

Evren Anil, 23, died in King's College Hospital on Monday morning eight days after he was senselessly attacked in Central Hill, Croydon.

He and his sister Elif had been driving to Crystal Palace on Sunday, August 5, when two youths threw a sweet bar through the window of her black Peugeot.

When Evren got out of the car the youths produced a knife. Despite a passerby trying to intervene, Evren was thumped in the face and fell to the ground - suffering a heavy blow to the head.

His father and sister were with him on Monday when he died.

Elif, 26, said the family from Upper Norwood was "devastated" about what happened and made a heartfelt plea for anyone who knows the perpetrators to tell police.

"Gangs and crime doesn't get people anywhere," she said, "It just causes pain to all the families involved.

Bulent Anil, Evren's older brother, added: "Was his life so cheap that he had to die over a chocolate bar?

"He was such a kind guy who would never, ever hurt anyone.

"He just loved people. I'm lost for words. I just don't know what to say. I just can't accept it.

"You expect this to happen to other people, not to you."

Evren was the youngest of four children who had just gained a first class degree in computer sciences from Kingston University.

A former Harris and Coulsdon College student, he started his first full-time job with a computer company last week.

Evren's best friend Mehmet Aray broke down as he described the young man he had known since he was three years old.

"Everyone loved him," he said, "Anyone who met him loved him and if you asked him for help, he would help."

Evren's family and friends told how Evren was passionate about his Muslim faith and taught children at a Saturday school.

He was also a keen actor, snowboarder and footballer - playing centre back for Croydon City in a Sunday league.

Elif said: "I still don't believe he's gone and I go to his room every day. It's such a big shock."

Evren's eldest brother Ozgur said: "He had so much love and there was not one bit of him that had hate for anyone else no matter what religion or race."

Evren's siblings said they feared not being able to have a funeral for him while police hold his body. It could be "too much" for their parents who are struggling to cope with the loss.

Bulent added: "My mum still thinks he's coming back and so do I.

"He was like a light and without our light, we cannot do anything."

Close friend Turgay Yoldas said such a crime was not acceptable and asked anyone with information to come forward.

"There's people in this world that see things and don't say anything because they're too frightened to get involved.

"But you have to be brave and you have to come forward."

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the two suspects who were described as black and in their late teens to call them on 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.