Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review into the killing of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student who was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December 2025. The review will examine what was known about the killer, whether opportunities to intervene were missed, and how the teenager's family were treated following his death. According to BBC News, the announcement comes after intense scrutiny of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary following the release of police bodycam footage showing Nowak being handcuffed as he lay dying.
Vickrum Digwa was convicted of the murder and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years on 1 June. Digwa falsely claimed he had been racially abused and acted in self-defence. The case sparked wider debates around knife laws, race, policing and public trust.
Former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC will lead the review. Mahmood told the House of Commons on Monday that the investigation must establish the full circumstances of what occurred.
"We must get to truth of what happened before, during and after that awful night and we must do everything in our power to ensure that no family suffers the same fate,"she stated.
The Nowak family's experience with the criminal justice system has been marked by disappointment. In a statement released on Monday, they described the review announcement as a
"significant moment in our fight for justice."They expressed hope that the investigation, combined with ongoing inquiries and the inquest, would
"finally uncover the full truth and deliver the accountability and meaningful change we have fought so hard for."
How will the review be structured?
The Home Office confirmed the review will proceed in two distinct phases. Phase one will examine the police, health services, local authorities, educational institutions and faith organisations to determine what was known about Nowak's killer and whether any concerns had been raised regarding weapon possession and violent behaviour. This phase will also assess whether missed opportunities existed to prevent the murder.
Phase two will commence after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has finished its investigation into the actions of police officers who attended the scene. This second phase will evaluate the IOPC's findings and, if necessary, the conduct of police officers involved.
What happened in the days and weeks after the stabbing?
Following Nowak's death, police bodycam footage revealed him repeatedly saying he could not breathe while handcuffed. The footage intensified public scrutiny of the police response and sparked calls for a comprehensive inquiry. Digwa has been granted permission to appeal the length of his sentence, with the Court of Appeal also considering whether the Attorney General's referral arguing it was too lenient has merit. Additionally, Digwa has separately applied to appeal his murder conviction, with that application to be decided independently.
Two officers involved in the case face a gross misconduct investigation. Beyond the criminal proceedings, Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of removing the murder weapon to assist her son and hinder the investigation.
What is the status of the inquest?
Henry's inquest is being conducted as an Article 2 jury inquest, which examines whether police actions or delays in treatment caused or contributed to his death. The inquest is scheduled to open at Winchester Coroner's Court on 20 September 2027.
What happens next?
Digwa's sentence appeal and the Attorney General's referral are scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on 5 November. The independent review led by Alex Chalk KC will proceed concurrently with these legal proceedings and the ongoing inquest. The Nowak family has stated their determination that the review and related investigations will deliver the accountability and systemic change they have pursued since Henry's death.
The family concluded their statement by emphasising their resolve:
"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."
