Ian Watkins, the former lead singer of LOSTPROPHETS, was found dead on the morning of Saturday, October 11, following a violent assault inside HMP Wakefield in the United Kingdom. The incident occurred more than a decade after his conviction for a series of heinous sexual offenses.
According to BBC and Rolling Stone, West Yorkshire Police stated that authorities responded to a call reporting an assault on a prisoner at 9:39 a.m. The 48-year-old musician was found dead at the scene. The investigation into the causes and circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and police have not confirmed the victim’s identity in their initial statement.
“In the morning at 9:39, police were alerted by staff at HMP Wakefield regarding an assault on a prisoner. Emergency services attended, and the man was subsequently determined to be deceased on site,” said an official statement from the authorities.
USA TODAY attempted to contact the police the same morning but had not received a response at the time of reporting.
Previous attack in 2023
In August 2023, Watkins was attacked by three fellow inmates inside HMP Wakefield, suffering serious injuries to his neck and being hospitalized for treatment.
Conviction and downfall
Watkins was serving a 29-year prison sentence, handed down in December 2013, for multiple counts including sexual assault of children, production of child pornography, and encouraging a fan to abuse her child. His sentence included an additional six years on licence. The court had described his crimes as reaching a “depth of depravity”.
Shortly after his conviction, Lostprophets disbanded (in 2012–2013) in the wake of the scan.
Sources: BBC, Rolling Stone, Reuters,
Associated Press, USA Today
