Ex-police officer falsely identified by Grok in Henry Nowak arrest is forced to flee

A former police officer falsely identified by the Grok AI tool as being involved in the arrest of Henry Nowak has been forced to move to a safehouse.

Christi Hill left Hampshire Constabulary in April 2024 but was falsely named by Grok, on the X social media platform, as one of two officers in bodycam footage of Nowak's arrest in December 2025.

She says she has since been subjected to online abuse and has been moved by the force to a safe location.

It comes after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Tuesday that a male police officer wrongly identified as being involved in the case had been forced to relocate to protect himself and his family.

Read more:
Police chief urges people not to speculate on Henry Nowak murder
Henry Nowak's murder has ignited a national row

Ms Hill wrote on LinkedIn: "I am writing this post with a heavy heart, both out of deep sadness for a tragic event and out of a necessity to protect my reputation, safety and peace of mind.

"Today, my name and image have been widely circulated on social media, and now by AI platforms such as Grok, falsely identifying me as one of the arresting officers in the Henry Nowak case.

"To be absolutely clear, I was not involved in this incident. In fact, I left Hampshire Constabulary in April 2024. The tragic events involving Henry Nowak occurred in December 2025.

"The confusion stems from a national police bravery award media release. A photo of myself and a former colleague who has also been wrongfully targeted is being repeatedly shared and misattributed to this case.

"It is alarming to see how quickly a piece of outdated media can be weaponised by algorithms and accepted as fact by AI platforms, despite being factually impossible.

"It is deeply unsettling to have my name wrongly attached to such a high-profile and sensitive matter whilst there has been a clear lack of support from Hampshire Constabulary in rectifying this false narrative in a timely manner.

"My primary thoughts remain with the family affected by this tragedy. They deserve justice and clarity, not the noise of online misinformation. I kindly ask my network to help share this clarification."

The false Grok post, which appears to have since been taken down, had said: "Public reports and identifications in the Henry Nowak bodycam footage name **PC Christi Hill*..." The post went on to name a second officer and said a third was unidentified.

The officers who arrested Mr Nowak have been taken off frontline policing duties, the chief constable of Hampshire Police told Sky News.

Footage of Mr Nowak being handcuffed as he lay dying on the ground, in Southampton, has sparked protests and intense national debate.

He was stabbed to death by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa on his way home from a night out.

Digwa, who was jailed for life, had told police Mr Nowak had racially abused him, which was described by the judge as "wicked lies".

Sir Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage clashed over allegations of "two-tier policing" during PMQs on Wednesday.

Hampshire Police said in a statement: "We know there has been significant commentary following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, and we recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night.

"However, what we cannot accept is the significant spread of misinformation online by those intent on causing further fear and division by making threats to officers and sharing names that are simply not true.

"A police officer unrelated to this case has been misidentified online and subject to death threats.

"The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is continuing its independent investigation into our response on the night in question, following our self-referral the next day. While that progresses, we ask that people avoid harmful speculation online."

Sky News has approached X for a response.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ex-police officer falsely identified by Grok in Henry Nowak arrest is forced to flee