Henry Nowak, USA News: The family of Henry Nowak has stated that their world changed twice after viewing harrowing police bodycam footage of the 18-year-old economics student as he lay dying. The teenager was stabbed to death by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in December 2025 while walking home from a night out, after which Digwa falsely claimed the student had racially abused him.
Footage from the incident showed Mr Nowak’s final moments of consciousness as police officers tied his hands behind his back. During the encounter, the 18-year-old repeatedly told officers he had been stabbed and was unable to breathe, to which a policeman responded, “Don’t think you have, mate.” The video sparked nationwide fury following the actions of officers from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
Family Speak Out in ITV Documentary
In a new ITV documentary titled Dear Henry: Our Fight For Justice, his father Mark, stepmother Katie, mother Lucy, and sister Olivia spoke publicly for the first time since the video’s release. Katie told the broadcaster that their world changed first on the night they were told Henry had died, and a second time when they watched the recording.
Recalling the early hours of the morning when police arrived at their door, Lucy said officers informed her of an altercation and that her son had passed away. Stepmother Katie described seeing the police car on their driveway and knowing immediately that something horrific had occurred, noting that Mark fell to his knees in unbelievable pain.
Independent Review Announced
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced an independent review into Henry Nowak’s murder, confirming that former Justice Secretary Alex Chalk will lead the urgent probe amid concerns regarding Hampshire Police’s conduct.
The first phase of the independent review will examine the treatment given to the Nowak family by agencies across the criminal justice system following the tragedy. A second phase will follow a separate investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into the actions of the officers who attended the scene.
