'I can't breathe': Chilling bodycam footage captures final moments of UK teen killed by Indian-origin man; family says 'he did not die with dignity'

Nowak's father said the difference between the treatment of his son and Digwa at the scene was "unbearable."

Hampshire police released a bodycam footage on Tuesday, showing the final moments of the 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was stabbed to death in Southampton on July 27, 2025. In the footage released, Nowak can be repeatedly heard telling officers, "I can't breathe" and "I've been stabbed" before he collapsed, according to a BBC report.

Nowak was a student from Chafford Hundred in Essex, and was stabbed to death by Indian-origin man, Vickrum Digwa during an incident in Southampton city centre in the UK. The court, on Monday, sentenced the 23-year-old Digwa to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for murder.

The footage was later released with the permission of Nowak's family after the conclusion of criminal proceedings. It showed the officers arriving at the scene and speaking to Digwa, who allegedly claimed he had been the victim of racist attack. The officers at the scene initially treated Digwa as the victim while Nowak, who had suffered multiple stab wounds was handcuffed and arrested on suspicion of assault, as per the media reports.

In the video, Nowak can be heard repeatedly telling officers that he had been stabbed. "I don't think you have, mate," one officer responded. As officers place him in handcuffs, the teenager continues saying, "I can't breathe."

The video also showed the officers questioning Nowak where he had been injured before briefly checking him. A female officer is heard asking where he had been stabbed, while another voice states, "He hasn't been stabbed." Moments later, Nowak, who appears increasingly weak, is informed that he is being arrested for assault.

The officers, according to Hampshire police, performed CPR within minutes after releasing the seriousness of his condition. However, Nowak could not be saved. The post-mortem examination revealed that he had suffered stab wounds to his legs and a fatal wound to the heart.

A 21cm blade knife was used in the attack. During the trial, prosecutors said Digwa carried the weapon and used it during the confrontation. However, Digwa later claimed the blade was linked to his Sikh faith. Following this, Sikh organisation strongly rejected that characterisation, stating that weapon used was not a traditonal kirpan.

Nowak's family said that he "did not die with dignity" and also described the police response as "inhumane and degrading."

The victim's father said, "Henry told officers that he could not breathe nine times. He told them that he had been stabbed four times." He added, "Henry was pulled across the gravel, his hands forced behind his back and he was placed in handcuffs."

Nowak's father also said the difference between the treatment of his son and Digwa at the scene was "unbearable."

After Digwa was convicted, Hampshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Robert France apologised to the family. France said, "This is a complete tragedy and I am sorry that they couldn't save Henry that night and I'm sorry that Henry was handcuffed and arrested as he lost consciousness."

France, however, noted that the medical evidence presented during the trial indicated the injuries were unsurvivable. He said, "The pathologist who spoke in court was clear there was nothing officers could have done that day to save Henry."

The case has triggered a separate investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is examining the actions of the officers who attended the scene. The watchdog said it is reviewing bodycam footage, trial evidence and other material to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

The footage of the incident also sparked a political reaction across the United Kingdom. Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary called the stabbing as an "evil act" and described the bodycam footage "a disturbing and tragic thing to see."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he "felt sick" watching the video and said there were "searching questions for the police that are going to have to be answered."

The case has drawn public outrage as well. On Tuesday evening, several hundred people gathered outside a police station in Southampton to protest the handling of the incident. Demonstrators waved Union Flags and demanded accountability over the police response. The protest later moved towards the area where Digwa lived, with reports of officers being pelted with projectiles.

The legal proceedings are also continuing beyond Digwa's conviction. The Attorney General's Office is considering requests to review whether the 21-year minimum term was unduly lenient. Meanwhile, Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, is due to be sentenced later this month after being convicted of assisting an offender.

Digwa's father, Moga Singh, and brother, Gurpreet Digwa, have also appeared in court on separate weapons-related charges and remain on bail.

The IOPC investigation into the police response remains ongoing.