Ian Watkins, Former Lostprophets Singer, Dies in Prison Attack

Ian Watkins, the disgraced former frontman of the rock band Lostprophets, has died at the age of 48 following an attack in prison. Watkins was serving a 29-year sentence for a string of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, which was imposed in 2013. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, October 11, 2025, at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire, where he was attacked with a knife by another inmate.

itv.com reported, Emergency services were dispatched to the high-security prison after staff reported the assault at approximately 9:39 AM. Despite medical attention, Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene. West Yorkshire Police have since launched a murder investigation, confirming that two men, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in police custody.

The prison was placed on immediate lockdown following the fatal attack. A spokesperson for the Prison Service stated that they could not comment further while the police investigation is ongoing. This marks a tragic end for Watkins, whose career plummeted after his conviction, leading to the disbandment of Lostprophets shortly before his trial.

sky.com noted, Watkins' death comes after a previous violent incident at the same prison in 2023, where he was reportedly taken hostage and stabbed, though his injuries at that time were not life-threatening. His imprisonment for heinous crimes, which included admitting to 13 child sex offences, had made him a high-profile and vulnerable inmate within the prison system.

• Background of Conviction and Sentence: Ian Watkins was sentenced in December 2013 to 29 years in prison, with an additional six years on licence, after pleading guilty to 13 child sex offences. These horrific crimes included the attempted rape of a fan's baby, encouraging a second fan to abuse her child during a webcam chat, and possessing child sexual abuse videos, some of which he had created himself.
• Location and Nature of the Attack: The fatal assault took place at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison in West Yorkshire, England. Watkins was attacked with a knife by another inmate on Saturday morning, October 11, 2025. This incident led to his death at the scene, as confirmed by emergency services who responded to the prison.
• Police Investigation and Arrests: West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are actively investigating the death. Authorities confirmed that two male inmates, aged 25 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the incident. The prison was immediately placed under lockdown as the investigation commenced.
• Previous Incidents in Prison: This was not the first time Watkins had been subjected to violence while incarcerated. In August 2023, he was taken hostage and stabbed by three inmates at HMP Wakefield. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries in that incident, reportedly after being freed by prison officers following a six-hour ordeal.
• Impact on Lostprophets and Public Reaction: Watkins' arrest and subsequent conviction led to the immediate disbandment of Lostprophets, the Welsh rock band that had achieved significant international success, selling millions of albums. News of his death has elicited strong reactions on social media, with many users expressing a sense of justice served.
• Prison Conditions and Vulnerability: Watkins had previously described his fellow inmates as "murderers, mass murderers, rapists, paedophiles, serial killers – the worst of the worst," highlighting the dangerous environment of high-security prisons. Convicted child sex offenders like Watkins are often considered particularly vulnerable targets within the prison population.
• Recent Concerns at HMP Wakefield: The fatal attack follows a report from His Majesty's Chief Inspector for Prisons, which noted a significant rise in violence at HMP Wakefield. The report indicated a 62% increase in violent incidents and a 72% increase in serious assaults since the last inspection in 2022, with some inmates reportedly unable to leave their cells.