Inquest into Henry Nowak’s Death Scheduled
A full jury inquest will examine the “wider circumstances” surrounding the death of Henry Nowak, who was murdered last year, according to the Hampshire coroner.
The Winchester Coroner’s Court is set to hold the inquest into the 18-year-old’s death on Thursday morning. Nowak was fatally stabbed in December 2025 by 23-year-old Vickram Dighwa, who used a long Shasta knife, justifying his actions with references to his Sikh faith.
This case has drawn significant public attention, particularly because it involves a violent act by a stranger, which is relatively rare in the UK. The racial implications, combined with police handcuffing the wounded Nowak in his final moments, have sparked a broader debate about police practices. Public outrage intensified when body camera footage was released, showing officers handling Nowak in a manner that some deem inappropriate.
Previously, police had depended on a pathologist’s findings from the criminal trial. Yet, remarks made by the county coroner indicated that further facts are yet to emerge, leading to an investigation into whether police actions contributed to Nowak’s death.
Coroner Jason Pegg emphasized that the inquest would explore broader issues rather than just the cause of death. He noted that because Nowak was in state custody, there is a responsibility to investigate, as his right to life was involved.
Pegg stated: “The scope of any inquest involving Article 2 is not just about how someone died, but also about the broader circumstances. I am not satisfied that previous investigations related to Henry Nowak’s death have fully met the requirements outlined in Section 2.”
The inquiry will take place publicly and in front of a jury, allowing Nowak’s family to participate.
Although the autopsy is not expected to occur until late 2027, the coroner expressed a desire to postpone it, given the situation.
Hampshire Police previously issued an apology for handcuffing Nowak while he was dying, with Deputy Constable Robert France expressing disappointment over the events. The police condemned the suspect for misleading them about the circumstances, including false accusations of racial slurs.
Chief Constable Alexis Boon reiterated the apology, referring to the incident as a “tragedy” and expressing condolences to Nowak’s family. After addressing the public, he cautioned against commenting on the situation and reiterated that an independent investigation would take place, urging everyone to allow the evidence to guide the findings.
