‘Forever 18’: Henry Nowak’s sister shares heartbreaking TikTok tribute to her murdered brother as she posts videos showing pair singing, laughing and dancing together
Henry Nowak’s bereaved sister shared a series of touching tributes to her brother; These include light-hearted footage of them dancing and singing together at home.
Olivia Nowak, 22, wrote a touching message online saying her little brother will be ’18 forever’: ‘I will miss and love you forever.’
Henry was stabbed six times by gun enthusiast Vickrum Digwa, 23, using a ceremonial eight-inch Sikh sword.
The treatment of Digwa by police officers handcuffing him in his final moments, during which he repeatedly screamed ‘I can’t breathe’ after stabbing him and accusing him of racism, shocked Britain and the world.
Olivia created two TikTok memes for her younger brother following the murder. Both went viral following Digwa’s sentencing this week.
The first montage, made just ten days after Henry’s death in December 2025, is set to Coldplay’s hit film Yellow.
The 53-second clip, titled ’18 brothers forever x’, shows a lively young man who is happy and enthusiastic at the heart of his family.
One of four siblings, Henry grew up in Essex before moving to Southampton for university and died there. The teenager is seen dancing at home and at family events, including on the dance floor at a wedding.
He is often shown dancing with his beloved sister Olivia in the bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen of their family home in Chafford Hundred.
Olivia and Henry Nowak are on vacation together, holding hands and smiling on the bridge for the memorial service for the murder victim’s sister
In the images shared by Olivia, the siblings are seen having a lot of fun together at the family home in Essex, often dancing around the rooms.
Olivia said of her smiling sibling in a TikTok montage: ‘I will miss and love you forever’
Olivia shared several portraits of herself with her little brother
Olivia stood alongside her father Mark during his extraordinary statement on the steps of Southampton Crown Court after Digwa was sentenced to 21 years in prison. In court, she looked directly at her killer and said: ‘I lost a part of myself when he died.’
The pair also worked part-time at their local Morrisons, and Olivia shared several clips of themselves in uniform as they enjoyed lighthearted moments during their shifts.
In the weeks before Henry turned 19 in February this year, Olivia shared another tribute photo, which included photos of the pair together, including one holding hands.
In another, he smiles broadly with his arm around his sister while on vacation.
He wrote: ‘I have never felt pain like this. My best friend forever. Fly high my angel brother.’
The gallery is set for Bruno Mars’ song Talking to the Moon, which describes the longing to talk to someone who is no longer there.
Olivia and Henry were clearly incredibly close.
At the end of Digwa’s trial, he described the deep shock and trauma of learning about his brother’s death, as well as the pain brought about by his identification and burial. She also mentioned that she would face milestones without him, including birthdays, Christmas and other family events.
Olivia confronted Digwa at the dock, saying: ‘If you knew Henry, you would never hurt him.’
Ms Nowak, who was 21 when her brother died, added: ‘My whole heart was in my brother’s hands. ‘He was a part of me and when he died I lost a part of myself.’
Addressing his brother, he said: ‘The real pain is knowing that I will miss you longer than I can enjoy life with you. ‘My brother didn’t deserve to stay 18 forever.’
He continued: ‘My brother was my best friend from the day he was born.’
Siblings’ selfie shared by Henry Nowak’s sister Olivia
Henry behind the wheel of a small convertible
Henry’s family said today: ‘We must bring back common sense’ in how equality is dealt with under the law; Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch echoed this view after meeting them.
Ms Badenoch met the murdered student’s mother, father and stepfather; The student’s death led to accusations of ‘two-tiered policing’. They met privately with the Prime Minister on Thursday.
A coroner has said the inquest into Henry’s death will examine whether police officers caused or contributed to it.
Henry, a first-year student at the University of Southampton, was stabbed by Digwa, who falsely claimed he had been racially abused and assaulted.
Hampshire Police Chief Alexis Boon apologized to Henry’s family after the student was handcuffed and arrested as he lay dying.
Digwa was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison on Monday after killing Henry.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police faced intense scrutiny over their conduct, including handcuffing Henry and ignoring his repeated pleas that he had been stabbed and couldn’t breathe.
The case is currently being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Hampshire district coroner Jason Pegg told the court the inquest at Winchester Coroner’s Court will look at whether police actions ’caused or contributed to’ Mr Nowak’s death.
