In a rare and emotional public statement, the grandmother of Vickrum Digwa has broken her silence about her grandson and the devastating consequences of the 2025 murder of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak in Southampton, England. The case, which gripped the UK with its tragic details, false accusations, and police bodycam footage, continues to leave deep scars on both the victim’s and the perpetrator’s families more than six months after the sentencing.

Vickrum Digwa, then 23, was convicted of murdering Henry Nowak on December 3, 2025. Digwa stabbed the young student multiple times with a large blade during a confrontation, then lied to arriving police officers, claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack. As Henry lay dying on the ground, repeatedly telling officers “I can’t breathe” and that he had been stabbed, he was handcuffed while Digwa’s claims were initially believed. Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. His mother, Kiran Kaur, was convicted of assisting an offender for hiding the murder weapon.

Now, Digwa’s grandmother has spoken candidly in an interview, expressing profound sorrow for both families. “My heart breaks for Henry’s mother and father,” she said. “No parent should have to bury their child. But this tragedy also destroyed our family. Vickrum was my grandson. I watched him grow up. One moment of anger, one terrible decision, and everything is gone. Two families are in pieces because of it.”

The grandmother described how the case has torn her family apart. Digwa’s parents and brother have faced additional legal scrutiny, with further charges related to weapons possession. She spoke of the shame brought upon the wider Sikh community and the daily pain of seeing her family’s name associated with such violence. “We are not monsters,” she emphasized. “We are ordinary people who lost control in one awful night. Henry was just a boy with his whole life ahead. Our family will never escape this guilt.”

Henry Nowak was a kind, thoughtful first-year university student from Essex. Described by loved ones as hard-working and much-loved, his death sent shockwaves through his family and the Southampton community. His parents have spoken publicly about the horror of watching bodycam footage showing their son dying while handcuffed, and the lasting trauma of losing their son in such a preventable way.

Digwa’s grandmother acknowledged the lies told at the scene, which misled police and delayed help for Henry. “That was wrong. It made everything worse,” she admitted. “My grandson made choices that cannot be undone. I pray for Henry’s soul every day, and I pray for my family to find some peace, though I know peace may never come.”

The case sparked intense public debate about knife crime, police response times, racial tensions, and the carrying of religious blades like the kirpan. It also highlighted the devastating ripple effects on both sides. Henry’s family lost a beloved son with bright dreams, while Digwa’s family lost a son to prison and faces ongoing legal battles and social stigma.

Community leaders from both sides have called for healing rather than further division. Digwa’s grandmother echoed this sentiment: “Henry’s family did not deserve this pain. Our family did not want this shame. Violence solves nothing. It only destroys. I hope young people see this and choose peace instead of anger.”

As appeals and further court proceedings involving Digwa’s family members continue, the emotional wounds remain raw. Support groups for victims of knife crime and affected families have noted a rise in calls following the high-profile case. Mental health experts warn that such tragedies create long-term trauma for everyone involved, including extended family members who feel helpless.

Digwa’s grandmother concluded her statement with a direct message: “To Henry’s family — I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart. No words can bring your son back. To my own family — we must live with this forever and try to become better. This case did not just take one life. It ruined two families completely.”

The murder of Henry Nowak remains a painful reminder of how quickly a single violent act can shatter multiple lives. As both families navigate grief, regret, and justice, Digwa’s grandmother’s words offer a rare glimpse of humanity amid the tragedy — a call for reflection in the face of irreversible loss.