On December 3, 2025, 24-year-old Henry Nowak was murdered. The circumstances of his death and the subsequent handling by the police left the Nowak family questioning the adequacy of the criminal justice system. Henry's murder was a reminder of the system's vulnerabilities, and the Nowak family was determined to find answers.
Fast-forward to October 26, 2026, when Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood made a significant announcement. In a statement, she said, 'This review will leave no stone unturned in seeking those answers.' The decision to launch an independent review was a response to the Nowak family's demands for justice and the public's concerns about the handling of the case.
Leading the review is Alex Chalk, a former Lord Chancellor. His appointment was seen as a sign that the review would be thorough.
The review aims to examine what was known about the killer and the actions of police officers at the scene.
The Nowak family's stance on the review has been supportive from the outset. Speaking to the press, they said, 'Today’s announcement of the Henry Nowak Independent Review is a significant moment in our fight for justice.' The family's determination to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable underscores the importance of the review to them.
**COMING NOVEMBER 5th, 9pm on ITV** Dear Henry: Our Fight for Justice The family of Henry Nowak speak exclusively to me for a special hour-long ITV Tonight programme. His mother and sister, and his father and stepmother, talk about their determination to uncover the full truth.
The review aims to examine what was known about the killer and the actions of police officers at the scene. It will also investigate any missed opportunities and the Nowak family's experience of the criminal justice system. The Home Secretary's statement, 'We must get to the 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,' highlights the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.
The launch of the independent review marks the beginning of a long and potentially challenging process. The Nowak family, the Home Secretary, and the public will be watching closely to see how the review unfolds. The review's success will depend on its ability to uncover the full truth and deliver accountability. For the Nowak family, this is a crucial step in their journey towards justice, and for the government, it is an opportunity to address the shortcomings of the criminal justice system and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
🚨 BREAKING: Mother of Henry Nowak’s killer to be released from prison early, less than a year after his murder. • Kiran Kaur was jailed for three years in July for helping her son, Vickrum Digwa, by removing the murder weapon from the scene. • Digwa, 23, stabbed 18-year-old Southampton University student Henry Nowak to death on 3 December 2025 as he walked home from a night out. • Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 21 years. • ITV News reports Kaur will serve less than half of her three-year sentence before being released under the Government’s early release scheme. • Kaur, an Indian migrant, is also eligible for the Government’s deportation scheme, but no decision has been made on whether she will be deported. • She is appealing her sentence and is due before the Court of Appeal on 5 November, the same day her son’s sentence appeals are scheduled to be heard. • Kaur’s expected release is around the first anniversary of Henry’s death.