Home Secretary Launches Review of Henry Nowak Murder

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered an independent review into the murder of Henry Nowak. The investigation will determine whether officials missed opportunities to prevent the killing. It will also assess how the criminal justice system treated Nowak’s family after his death.

Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December 2025. He died while handcuffed by police officers who were bleeding him out. The officers had arrested him after Vickrum Digwa accused him of racial abuse. Body-worn camera footage released to the public showed Nowak telling an officer, "I’ve been stabbed," while the officer replied, "Don’t think you have, mate."

The review will be led by Alex Chalk KC, the former Conservative lord chancellor. Chalk will deliver initial findings within five months. Mahmood stated in the House of Commons that the inquiry will look at what was known about the perpetrator. It will also examine whether the Nowak family received proper support during the legal process.

Warnings about Digwa’s behavior existed before the attack. Young local Sikhs alleged he used threatening behavior at a Southampton gurdwara in the months prior to the stabbing. The Sun reported that a neighbor saw Digwa firing an airgun in his back garden in October 2022. The neighbor said she reported the incident to Hampshire Constabulary, but police could not find a record of it.

Digwa, 23, was carrying two knives on the night of the killing. One was a kirpan, a blade permitted for religious use in the UK. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years. He has permission to appeal the length of that sentence at the Court of Appeal on November 5. His mother, Kiran Kaur, was jailed for three years for assisting an offender after removing the murder weapon from their home. Police found more than 20 other weapons at the family residence.

Two police officers who arrived first at the scene are under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The inquiry looks into why they did not provide urgent medical aid to Nowak. It also examines their decision to arrest him instead of treating his wounds. The review will consider the actions of the IOPC and the police once that investigation concludes.

The Nowak family described the review as a "significant moment" in their pursuit of justice. They stated that the emotional toll of seeking answers has been immense. The family expressed hope that the review, along with the ongoing inquest, will uncover the full truth. They aim to ensure no other family must endure the same experience with the criminal justice system.