Henry Nowak's family say their 'world has changed twice' since Southampton student's murder
Family speak for the first time in ITV documentary
The family of an 18-year-old student murdered in Southampton have said their lives have changed twice since his death.
Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton on 3rd December 2025.
His father Mark, stepmother Katie, mother Lucy and older sister Olivia spoke for the first time about the moment they learned of his death.
They gave an interview to ITV for a documentary, Dear Henry: Our Fight For Justice.
Learning of Henry's death
The family recalled receiving a visit from police officers after Mr Nowak was killed.
Katie, his stepmother, said: "I jumped out of bed and I saw the police car on our driveway.
"One of the police officers was holding his hat in his hand, and I just knew straight away that something horrific had happened."
She remembered Mr Nowak's father Mark falling to his knees on hearing the news.
Katie said: "He let out a cry that I'll never forget."
Mark said: "It was just shock.
"I just remember saying 'it's Henry' and breaking down in tears.
"It's just unbelievable pain."
Lucy, Mr Nowak's mother, recalled officers knocking on the door in the early hours.
She said her daughter Olivia, Mr Nowak's sister, shouted: "Mum, there's police at the door."
Lucy said: "No words, no words can explain that feeling."
The body-worn camera footage
News of Mr Nowak's murder later caused widespread political outrage when police body-worn camera footage emerged.
It showed the student being handcuffed by officers after his attacker, Vickrum Digwa, falsely accused him of racial abuse.
In the video, Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: "I've been stabbed."
An officer replies: "Don't think you have, mate."
Katie said: "In the last year, our world has changed twice.
"The first time was the night that we were told that Henry had died.
"And the second time was when we watched that video."
Sentencing and independent review
Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years on 1st June for Mr Nowak's murder.
His mother, Kiran Kaur, was jailed for three years for assisting an offender after she removed the knife used by her son.
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review into the student's murder.
Ms Mahmood told the Commons it will be led by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk and will look at "any missed opportunities to intervene".
Mr Chalk said: "The murder of Henry Nowak, an innocent young man, at the hands of Vickrum Digwa shocked the nation.
"Serious questions have been raised about whether agencies and organisations failed to act on complaints about Digwa's violent and erratic behaviour.
"My review will follow the evidence without fear or favour.
"It will also examine how public authorities treated the Nowak family at a time of unimaginable pain.
"They deserve nothing less."
How to watch
Dear Henry: Our Fight For Justice will air on Thursday 5th November at 9pm on ITV, ITVX and the ITV News YouTube channel.