Murder victim tells police “I can’t breathe” while handcuffed

Student Henry Nowak repeatedly told police officers “I can’t breathe” as he lay dying in handcuffs after being stabbed, bodycam footage shows.

The 18-year-old Southampton student was handcuffed after killer Vickrum Digwa, 23, lied to police at the scene of the 2025 stabbing, claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack.

Footage released by the force, with permission from Nowak’s family, shows him pleading “I’ve been stabbed” and an officer replying “I don’t think you have mate”.

Nowak suffered stab wounds to his legs and a fatal wound to his heart from a 21cm (8in) blade that Digwa said he carried as part of his Sikh faith. He was jailed for life with a minimum 21-year term.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said an investigation into the police force’s actions was ongoing.

Speaking in the House of Commons earlier, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealed a police officer unrelated to the case had been misidentified and forced to relocate in order to protect him and his family.

The attorney general’s office is also considering the jail sentence given to Digwa after receiving “multiple requests” to review it under the unduly lenient sentence (ULS) scheme.

Nowak’s family, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, called his treatment by police “inhumane and degrading” and the force has apologised.

His father, Mark, said: “Henry told officers that he could not breathe nine times. He told them that he had been stabbed four times. Henry was pulled across the gravel, his hands forced behind his back and he was placed in handcuffs.”

He said the contrast between how his son and Digwa had been treated was “unbearable”.

“Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody,” he added.

In the footage, a police officer arriving at the scene can be heard asking: “What’s your name, mate?”

Nowak, who is lying on his back on the ground, faintly replies: “Henry.”

As the video continues, Digwa steps into the frame. He claims Nowak had taken his turban off and grabbed him by the hair.

The officer asks Digwa if he is injured, to which Digwa replies: “Yeah, yeah, I’ve got a swollen eye here, a little bruise here.”

Officers then turn to Nowak, who can be heard repeating “I’ve been stabbed” and then “I can’t breathe” while he is made to sit up to be handcuffed.

As the footage continues, the officer can be heard asking where Henry has been stabbed. He then adds: “Don’t think you have, mate.”

While being handcuffed, Nowak says “I can’t breathe” another three times.

The officer can be heard saying: “He says he’s been stabbed, so let’s just check him.” He appears to briefly lift Nowak’s shirt around the belt area before he is left to lie on his side.

A female officer can then be heard asking: “Where do you think he’s been stabbed? In the face?”

A male voice replies: “He hasn’t been stabbed.”

Nowak, who seems unresponsive, is then told he is being arrested for assault.

Source: BBC