Family of murdered student Henry Nowak speak out ahead of review
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered an independent review into the murder of Henry Nowak.
- The review, led by Alex Chalk, will examine missed opportunities and the treatment of the family.
- His killer, Vickrum Digwa, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.
- The family will feature in an ITV documentary airing on November 5, 2026.
Alex Chalk stated that his review will "follow the evidence without fear or favour". The investigation will also look into how public authorities treated the Nowak family.
Family says their world changed twice since the murder
The family of Henry Nowak, including his father Mark, stepmother Katie, mother Lucy, and sister Olivia, stated their "world has changed twice" since his murder.
Katie, Henry's stepmother, told ITV that the first time their world changed was the night they were informed of his death. She added that the second time was when they watched the police body-worn camera footage of the incident.
Police footage shows officers handcuffing dying student
The family's trauma was deepened by viewing police body-worn camera footage showing officers handcuffing Henry Nowak as he lay dying. This occurred after his attacker, Vickrum Digwa, falsely accused the student of racial abuse.
During the encounter, Henry Nowak informed the officers, "I’ve been stabbed". An officer responded to the victim by saying, "Don’t think you have, mate".
Vickrum Digwa sentenced to life for murder
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison on 1 June 2026 with a minimum term of 21 years. He had fatally stabbed 18-year-old student Henry Nowak in Southampton on 3 December 2025.
During the incident, Digwa falsely told police officers that Henry Nowak carried a weapon.
The news of the murder resulted in widespread political outrage.
Family recalls the night of the tragedy
Lucy, Henry’s mother, recalled police officers arriving in the early hours to inform her that her son had died following an altercation. She remembered officers knocking on the door and her daughter, Olivia, shouting.
Katie, Henry’s stepmother, knew something horrific had occurred when she saw a police officer holding his hat upon arriving at their home. Mark, Henry’s father, described falling to his knees and breaking down in tears when he learned of his son’s death.
ITV documentary to air on November 5
The family, including Mark, Katie, Lucy, and Olivia, spoke about the case in an exclusive interview with ITV News UK editor Paul Brand. The documentary, titled Dear Henry: Our Fight For Justice, is scheduled to air on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Academic background of Henry Nowak
Henry Nowak was a JD/MBA candidate at the University at Buffalo. He held a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics from Binghamton University.
From July 2024, he was a Podcast Host and Editor at the University at Buffalo School of Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Henry Nowak’s family say ‘world changed twice’ after student was stabbed to death (portsmouth.co.uk)
- Henry Nowak’s family say ‘world changed twice’ after student’s murder | The Independent (independent.co.uk)
- Henry Nowak: Southampton student’s family on police footage (bbc.com)
- Henry Nowak’s family say ‘world changed twice’ after student’s murder (lbc.co.uk)
- Our world changed twice after Henry Nowak's murder, say family (dailyecho.co.uk)
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