The family of a teenage boy who died after going missing in a lake in the West Midlands have said his death “will forever leave an everlasting pain in all of our hearts”.

Daniel Drewitt, 16, died after getting into difficulty in Powell’s Pool at Sutton Park nature reserve in Sutton Coldfield on Thursday evening. A body was found on Friday after a major search operation. Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Sharing pictures of the boy playing football and wearing a grey suit on his prom night, his family said in a statement: “Daniel was a handsome, funny and talented boy who really cared about his friends and family. Everyone wanted to be his friend and he was popular because of the beautiful spirit he had.

“Daniel was a big Birmingham City Football Club fan and would love going to the games with his grandad and friends. He had so many dreams and aspirations, and he had his whole life ahead of him. He has been taken from us way too soon and we still can’t process what is happening right now.”

The family also thanked the local community for “all of the kind messages, love and support”, and said “it has given us all comfort knowing just how loved he was by so many people and shows they all saw what we saw in him”. A crowdfunding page set up in aid of the family has so far raised more than £6,000.

“His family and friends are all devastated from this awful tragedy, and this will forever leave an everlasting pain in all of our hearts. We cannot put into words how much we will miss him and his cheeky smile,” the statement said. “Sweet dreams our beautiful boy. We know we will still see you every night. You will be the brightest star in the sky.”