The family of Henry Nowak have said they will not stop fighting for answers following the announcement of an independent review into his murder.
They described the review as a “significant moment” in their fight for justice, admitting the emotional toll of seeking answers has been immense on top of their grief.
Henry was 18 when he was murdered by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton, in a case which has raised questions about whether more could have been done to prevent the attack and how the family were treated by public authorities afterwards.
In a statement, the Nowak family said: “At last, some positive news. Today’s announcement of the Henry Nowak Independent Review is a significant moment in our fight for justice.
“Since Henry was murdered, we’ve fought tirelessly for answers to questions no family should ever have to ask. The emotional toll of that fight, on top of the unimaginable grief of losing Henry, has been immense.
“We hope this review, alongside the ongoing investigations and inquest, will finally uncover the full truth and deliver the accountability and meaningful change we have fought so hard for.
“Our experience of the criminal justice system has been deeply disappointing, and we are determined that no other family should have to endure what we have.”
Read more
-
Prolific shoplifter jailed and banned from two Basildon shops after 11 thefts
-
19-year-old motorcyclist died in crash after ‘high-speed police chase’
The family, from Chafford Hundred, in Essex, also thanked Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for listening to their concerns and taking action, as well as former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC for agreeing to lead the review.
They added: “This is an important step forward, but there is still a long road ahead.
“We will not stop fighting until we secure the answers, accountability and meaningful change that Henry, and every family in this country, deserves.”
The independent review will examine whether opportunities were missed to prevent Henry’s murder, including what agencies knew about Digwa’s behaviour in the five years before the attack, amid investigations into possible failures surrounding the attack.
It will also investigate how the family were treated by agencies across the criminal justice system following Henry’s death.
The review will be led by Mr Chalk, who is expected to report on the first phase to the Home Secretary by March 2027.
Henry attended Harris Academy Chafford Hundred before becoming a first-year Accounting and Finance student at the University of Southampton.
He was stabbed five times in Southampton on December 3, 2025, while returning home from a night out with friends.
Digwa, 23, was convicted of Henry's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
Share