Family of murdered Essex student say they were failed 'multiple times'
Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton in 2025 and his family have criticised police actions
Last updated 9 hours ago
The family of Henry Nowak, a student from Essex who was murdered last year, assert that police failed to adequately respond to the incident.
Henry, aged 18, was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, who falsely accused him of racial abuse, leading to Henry being handcuffed by officers as he lay dying in Southampton.
In an interview for an upcoming ITV Tonight documentary, 'Dear Henry: Our Fight For Justice', Henry’s family expressed concern over changing narratives from the police concerning his death, which initially portrayed him as the aggressor.
Katie Nowak, Henry's stepmother, stated, "I do feel that we have been failed multiple times. I fear that some decisions were made to try and protect the police and their reputation rather than help us as a family."
Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, revealed their dismay after being asked to approve a draft press release that wrongly depicted his son.
He shared, “That was a statement that essentially identified the victim. Tarnishing the victim’s name at that stage was shocking for me to hear.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Chief Constable Alexis Boon admitted the police “failed” Henry when he most needed help.
He told ITV in a statement: “Henry’s murder was a devastating tragedy, and our thoughts remain with his family and all those who loved him. I am incredibly sorry that in his final moments, when he needed us most, we failed him.
“For Henry’s family, this has been about more than the circumstances of one night. They have rightly raised serious concerns about the police response and their treatment throughout the investigation and since. No family should ever find themselves in this position.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has announced it is investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct over their response.
The IOPC’s director of engagement, Derrick Campbell, said, "We are committed to establishing the full circumstances of this case, including whether any of the officers involved should face disciplinary proceedings."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood informed the House of Commons that a review will be conducted by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk to examine “any missed opportunities to intervene.”
Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder.