Henry Nowak’s death haunts me – my son died in knife attack and 1 thing is being hidden | UK | News
The mother of 19-year-old Barnaby Webber, who was killed by Valdo Calocane on the streets of Nottingham in June 2023, said there were parallels between his murder and that of Henry Nowak. Grace O’Malley-Kumar, also 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were also stabbed to death by a 32-year-old paranoid schizophrenic. Mental health issues are not thought to have been a factor in the murder of Henry, who was stabbed to death with a 21cm knife by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa. He falsely claimed that he was the victim of a racist attack. Police did not believe Henry had been stabbed.
Emma Webber said they both looked similar and it was “distasteful”.
Brits need to be brave about policing and talk about race, according to the mother.
“What we need to do is be brave and have the really difficult discussions in this country,” Ms Webber said.
“[Calocane] “He was a black man who killed three white people and tried to kill three other white people, and that was never part of the conversation.”
He also said, “If it were the other way around, that’s what it would be like.” Telegram.
Tuesday’s riots in Southampton were condemned.
Protesters angry at the police’s treatment of Henry clashed with officers wearing riot gear.
Henry’s father Mark said: “We want to use Henry’s heartbreaking story to make a change for the better.
“We don’t want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to make our streets safer for everyone.”
He added: “No other family should have to go through the pain and horror of losing a child to knife crime.”
Ms Webber added that the similarities between her son’s and Henry’s deaths were “repeated in every city and every part of the UK”.
“Talk about lines in the sand, we’ve had to make a lot of noise and I have a lot of respect for Henry’s family, but they’re saying the same thing as us; don’t use our tragedy as an opportunity to play politics, to glorify yourself, your party or your beliefs,” he added.
“And for God’s sake, don’t use this to incite more hatred and riots. It won’t do us any good, it will dilute what we’re trying to do.”
