The parents of murdered university student Henry Nowak have spoken publicly about their son’s final moments and the police response to his fatal stabbing in Southampton. In the ITV documentary Dear Henry: Our Fight for Justice, broadcast on November 5, his family described their grief and accused police of misleading them about what happened. Their emotional interviews have brought renewed attention to Henry’s parents, siblings and the family seeking answers about his treatment.
Henry Nowak’s parents are Mark Nowak and Lucy Ross. His father, Mark, is married to Katie Nowak, who was Henry’s stepmother. Henry also had an older sister, Olivia Nowak, and two younger half-siblings through his father’s marriage. The family has described Henry as a cheerful, adventurous young man who loved football, making people laugh and spending time with those closest to him.
Who Are Henry Nowak’s Parents?
Henry Nowak was the son of Mark Nowak and Lucy Ross, who separated when he was young.
Following their divorce, both parents remained part of Henry’s life. His father later married Katie Nowak, who developed a close relationship with Henry after meeting him when he was approximately five years old.
Although the family lived in separate households, Henry maintained connections with his parents, stepmother and siblings.
Mark and Lucy have generally kept their professional backgrounds private. Their names became widely known after they participated in interviews discussing their son’s murder and the circumstances surrounding the police investigation.
Both parents have expressed deep frustration over the way authorities initially handled the incident.
Their decision to speak publicly was partly motivated by a desire to show people who Henry was beyond the details of the criminal case.
Who Is Henry Nowak’s Father Mark Nowak?
Mark Nowak is Henry’s biological father and one of the family members who has spoken most openly about the investigation.
In an emotional interview, Mark recalled receiving devastating news from police officers who arrived at his home during the night.
His wife, Katie, noticed a police vehicle outside and immediately feared that something serious had happened.
When officers explained that Henry had been killed, Mark collapsed in grief.
He later described the experience as overwhelming and said he struggled to process what he had heard.
Henry’s older sister, Olivia, also recalled receiving a telephone call from her father shortly after the family learned what had happened.
She described hearing him cry out in anguish over losing his son.
Mark has since become a vocal critic of the police response.
He said the family received changing explanations about what officers did when they arrived at the scene.
According to Mark, police initially suggested that officers had immediately provided medical assistance.
However, the family later learned that Henry had been handcuffed and arrested before officers recognized the seriousness of his injuries.
Mark has questioned why the information provided to relatives changed during the investigation.
Who Is Henry Nowak’s Mother Lucy Ross?
Lucy Ross is Henry Nowak’s biological mother and the mother of his older sister, Olivia.
She lived with Olivia when police officers arrived to inform them about Henry’s murder.
Lucy recalled being awakened during the early morning hours after the family dog began barking.
Olivia noticed officers outside and alerted her mother.
When Lucy answered the door, police asked whether she had a son named Henry before explaining that he had been involved in an incident and had died.
She later described the moment as impossible to put into words.
In interviews, Lucy also shared memories of Henry’s childhood.
She remembered him as a happy baby who rarely cried and enjoyed playing from an early age.
His love of football developed during childhood and remained an important part of his life.
Lucy has been particularly distressed by the police body-camera footage showing Henry’s final moments.
She said she could not bring herself to watch the recording because hearing her son’s voice asking for help would be unbearable.
Her public statements have focused on the pain of losing Henry and her belief that he deserved better treatment.
Who Is Henry Nowak’s Stepmother Katie Nowak?
Katie Nowak is married to Henry’s father, Mark Nowak.
She became part of Henry’s life when he was approximately five years old, following his parents’ separation.
Katie described their first meeting as an immediate connection.
She remembered Henry as a playful child who enjoyed making jokes and entertaining family members.
After marrying Mark, Katie welcomed two more children, giving Henry younger half-siblings.
According to Katie, the younger children admired their older brother and enjoyed spending time with him.
One of the family’s final photographs showed Henry carrying his younger sister toward a car after attending a pantomime.
Katie has also spoken strongly about the police investigation.
She said the family felt they had been failed repeatedly and questioned whether authorities had been fully transparent about Henry’s treatment.
Her comments became an important part of the family’s public campaign for accountability.
Henry Nowak’s Sister Olivia and Family Life
Henry Nowak had an older sister named Olivia Nowak, who shared a particularly close relationship with him.
Olivia described Henry as her best friend and recalled how they frequently laughed together.
The siblings enjoyed filming TikTok videos, singing in the car and making jokes.
She remembered Henry as protective, funny and sometimes deliberately annoying in the way younger brothers can be.
Following his murder, Olivia kept some of Henry’s clothing in his bedroom because the familiar smell reminded her of him.
The family has also spoken about Henry’s adventurous personality.
His father remembered him enjoying exciting activities, including large amusement rides, swimming pools and water slides.
These memories have become especially meaningful as relatives try to ensure that Henry is remembered for his personality rather than solely for the circumstances of his murder.
What Happened to Henry Nowak in Southampton?
Henry Nowak was an 18-year-old university student studying finance in Southampton when he was fatally stabbed on December 3, 2025.
He had been returning home after spending time with friends from his football team.
During the incident, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa stabbed Henry five times with a ceremonial dagger.
Digwa subsequently falsely claimed that Henry had racially abused and attacked him.
When police arrived, officers initially treated Henry as a suspect rather than recognizing him as the seriously injured victim.
Body-camera footage showed Henry repeatedly telling officers that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe.
Despite those warnings, officers handcuffed him while he was lying on the ground.
Henry died shortly afterward.
Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years in June 2026.
His mother, Kiran Kaur, was also imprisoned for assisting an offender after removing the weapon used in the attack.
Henry Nowak’s Parents Continue Seeking Justice
Following the conviction, Henry’s family continued questioning the conduct of officers involved in the incident.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct opened an investigation into the police response, including whether officers failed to provide appropriate assistance.
Two officers have been investigated for potential gross misconduct.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also announced an independent review led by former justice secretary Alex Chalk.
The review will examine whether authorities missed opportunities to intervene before the attack and how public agencies treated Henry’s family afterward.
Mark Nowak, Lucy Ross and Katie Nowak have supported efforts to establish a clearer account of what happened.
Their interviews in Dear Henry: Our Fight for Justice have also allowed the public to learn more about Henry’s childhood, relationships and personality.
Henry Nowak’s parents remain central to the continuing discussion surrounding his murder and the police response. For Mark Nowak and Lucy Ross, the case is not simply about an investigation or official accountability. It is about their son, an 18-year-old whose life was cut short while he was building his future at university.
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