Nowak family tell of 'unbelievable pain' of seeing footage of dying son handcuffed

The family of Henry Nowak have said the trauma of learning he had been murdered was made worse by watching police footage of officers handcuffing him as he lay dying.

They told ITV their "world has changed twice", first when they were told he had died, and again when they watched the body-worn camera video.

His killer, Vickrum Digwa, falsely told police Henry had racially abused him, and officers handcuffed the student as he repeatedly said he had been stabbed.

His father Mark, stepmother Katie, mother Lucy and sister Olivia were speaking to ITV for the documentary Dear Henry: Our Fight For Justice.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review into the murder, led by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk, which will look at "any missed opportunities to intervene".

Henry, 18, was stabbed five times as he walked home from a night out with friends from his football team in Southampton on 3 December 2025.

Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years.

It took officers another 24 hours to identify Henry's body and tell his family.

"I jumped out of bed and I saw the police car on our driveway," said Katie.

"One of the police officers was holding his hat in his hand, and I just knew straight away that something horrific had happened."

She said Mark fell to his knees when he heard the news.

"He let out a cry that I'll never forget," she said.

"I just remember saying 'it's Henry' and breaking down in tears," Mark said. "It's just unbelievable pain."