The family of murdered student Henry Nowak have spoken publicly for the first time, saying police failed him on the night he died, ahead of a television documentary about their fight for justice.

Henry Nowak, 18, was stabbed five times in Southampton in December 2025 while walking home from a night out. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years after falsely accusing Nowak of racial abuse. Body-worn camera footage shows officers handcuffing Nowak as he lay dying while he said he had been stabbed.

Police admission and independent review

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Chief Constable Alexis Boon has admitted police failed Henry when he most needed help. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review led by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk.

The family's interview was reported on 2 November 2026 ahead of the ITV Tonight documentary 'Dear Henry: Our Fight For Justice', due at 9pm on Thursday 5 November on ITV1 and ITVX. The documentary is the family's first full public account, and the review it follows will be watched closely by campaigners who say the case raises wider questions about how police respond to victims at the scene of a violent attack.

Sources: ITV News, 2 November 2026; The Times.