Updated: October 11, 2025 — Reporting based on police statements and major outlets.
Ian Watkins, former frontman of Lostprophets, has died after a reported prison attack.
Former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, 48, died on Saturday after being attacked at HM Prison Wakefield in West Yorkshire, British authorities and multiple outlets report. Emergency services responded to the scene and Watkins was pronounced dead at the location. Two people have since been arrested on suspicion of murder as inquiries continue.
What happened
Initial reporting indicates Watkins was attacked with a knife inside the prison and died from his injuries. Police and prison staff attended the scene; West Yorkshire Police have opened a murder investigation and made arrests. Details are still being established and authorities say they will release more information when possible.
Why he was in prison
Watkins was serving a lengthy sentence after pleading guilty in 2013 to multiple child sex offences, including attempts to rape an infant and other off-ences that led the judge to call the case extraordinarily depraved. He had been sentenced to decades behind bars, a term widely reported as 29 years in custody with an extended licence period. The 2013 convictions ended Lostprophets and left a lasting impact on the victims and the band’s former members.
Context & reaction
Watkins had previously been attacked in prison in 2023 and other incidents while incarcerated were reported in the years after his conviction. News of his death prompted immediate media coverage and reaction from former bandmates, legal commentators, and public-safety officials. Police say an investigation is ongoing and have appealed for witnesses and any information related to the attack. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
What to watch for
- Official police statements and the West Yorkshire Police murder investigation updates.
- Any inquest or coroner reports detailing the exact cause and circumstances of death.
- Statements from prison service officials about how the incident occurred and whether security failures took place.