The family of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student stabbed to death in Southampton, have spoken publicly for the first time about his murder and the moment they learned of his death.
Henry was stabbed five times as he walked home after a night out with friends from his football team on December 3 last year. He was handcuffed as he lay dying after his killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, falsely accused him of racial abuse. Police body-worn camera footage shows Henry repeatedly saying, "I've been stabbed", to which an officer replies: "Don't think you have, mate."
Family Shares Memories of Henry
In a moving interview with ITV, Henry's mum, Lucy, sister, Olivia, father Mark and step-mum, Katie, shared their memories of him. Lucy fought back tears as she spoke of getting "the dreaded knock" on the door at 1 o'clock in the morning.
Lucy said: "The dog started barking. Olivia, [Henry's sister] shouts at me, 'Mum, there's police at the door.' They said to me, 'Do you have a son called Henry?... There's been an altercation. And unfortunately, your son has passed away'. No words, no words can explain that feeling."
Olivia told the broadcaster how she and Henry would do funny dances or sing together in the car, creating TikTok videos together. She said: "All we did was laugh together... He was just hilarious. He would annoy me, but he was protective. He was the best brother. He was, and still is, my best friend."
In one heart-wrenching scene in Henry's bedroom, Olivia puts a T-shirt worn by her younger brother to her face as comfort. Lucy said she can't go into Henry's bedroom as it triggers too many memories and coats hang over his door so she doesn't see it as she walks by on the landing.
Recalling a Happy Childhood
Lucy recalled how Henry was a good baby, eating, sleeping and playing. She remembered: "He never cried - only when he was hungry."
Mark said: "He was a really happy child. Oh, he was full of fun. He liked to try new adventures, going on the biggest rides or jumping off into pools or slides."
Katie said there was "love at first sight" when she was introduced to five-year-old Henry after his parents divorced. She said fondly: "We just clicked straightaway. He was always mucking around. He laughed at his own jokes way too often."
Mark and Katie's children idolised Henry, with the last photo showing him carrying his younger sister to the car after a trip to the pantomime. Katie said: "He was just the sweetest person."
The Night of the Murder
Days later, Henry was murdered after a night out. It took the police 24 hours to identify his body and tell Henry's family the terrible news that he had died.
Katie said: "I jumped out of bed and I saw the police car on our driveway. I shouted to Mark, 'It's the police'. I just had a feeling something had happened to Henry. One of the police officers was holding his hat in his hand, and I just knew straightaway that something horrific had happened."
She remembered Mark falling to his knees and letting out a cry she would "never forget". Mark said: "They said the worst thing a parent can ever hear... It was just shock. I just remember saying, 'It's Henry', and breaking down in tears. It's just unbelievable pain."
As soon as Olivia was told what had happened, she texted the family's WhatsApp group to see if Mark and Katie had heard. Olivia said: "My dad called me and I answered the phone. And I just remember this scream. It was awful. He screamed, 'My boy, My boy'. And I heard my little brother in the background cry because he'd woken up from the noise and it was just horrific."
In the weeks that followed, the family's pain reached even darker depths as they learnt the truth about Henry's treatment at the hands of police. Katie said: "In the last year, our world has changed twice. The first time was the night that we were told Henry had died. And the second time was when we watched that video."
Justice and Investigation
Digwa was jailed on June 1 for life for murdering Henry. He will serve a minimum of 21 years. His mother, Kiran Kaur, was also jailed for three years for assisting an offender after she removed the knife used by her son. The Indian national may be eligible for the Government's early prison release scheme which could see her freed around the anniversary of Henry's death.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review into Henry's murder and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched its own investigation into Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police. The force apologised for handcuffing and arresting Henry as he lay dying, adding officers had been trying to take control of a complex and confusing situation.
Dear Henry: Our Fight for Justice - A Tonight Special airs on Thursday, November 5 at 9pm on ITV, ITVX and ITV News YouTube Channel.
