Disgraced former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has died after being attacked in prison, authorities have confirmed.
The 48-year-old was serving a 29-year sentence at HMP Wakefield for multiple child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.
West Yorkshire Police said they were called to the prison on Saturday morning following reports of an assault. Watkins was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
“We are unable to comment further while the police investigate,” a Prison Service spokesperson said.
According to reports from the PA news agency, Watkins was attacked with a knife by another inmate. Detectives are investigating the incident, and inquiries are ongoing.
The former rockstar was previously attacked inside the same prison in August 2023, though his injuries at the time were not life-threatening.
Watkins was jailed in 2013 after pleading guilty to a series of offences that the sentencing judge described as plunging into “new depths of depravity.” He was also ordered to serve an additional six years on license after his release.
His crimes – which included attempted rape of an infant, conspiring to rape a child, and multiple counts of making and possessing indecent images of children – shocked the world and effectively ended Lostprophets’ career overnight.
At the height of their fame, Lostprophets were one of the UK’s biggest rock exports, selling millions of albums and topping charts with hits like ‘Last Train Home’ and ‘Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)’.
Watkins’ death comes less than two weeks after a damning report found violence at Wakefield Prison had “increased markedly,” with many inmates – particularly older men convicted of sexual offences – saying they felt unsafe.
We’d say RIP but, you know… nah.
Further Reading
Is Convicted Paedophile & Ex-Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Teasing New Music From Prison?
Ian Watkins Sentenced To 29 Years Jail
Ian Watkins Set To Make £100,000 In Royalties Since Arrest
