Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Fatally Stabbed in Prison

Former Rock Star Meets Violent End in Maximum Security Prison

Ian Watkins, the disgraced former frontman of Welsh rock band Lostprophets, has been fatally stabbed at HMP Wakefield prison in West Yorkshire. The 48-year-old convicted child sex offender was attacked on Saturday morning, October 11, 2025, and pronounced dead at the scene despite immediate medical intervention.

Brutal Attack Details Emerge

According to sources speaking to The Sun, Watkins was ambushed by another inmate and stabbed in the neck with a makeshift weapon. "Watkins is op de meest brute manier vermoord. Hij werd door een andere gevangene in zijn nek gestoken. Er waren bewakers in de buurt, maar ze konden niets doen en hem niet redden," a source revealed, describing the attack as particularly brutal. The incident occurred around 9:39 AM during association time when prisoners were released from their cells.

Second Violent Attack in Two Years

This was not the first violent incident involving Watkins at HMP Wakefield. In August 2023, he was previously attacked with a knife by three other prisoners, sustaining neck injuries that required hospital treatment. The repeat violence raises serious questions about prison security and protection for high-profile inmates.

Notorious Criminal History

Watkins was serving a 35-year sentence imposed in 2013 after pleading guilty to 13 child sex offenses, including the attempted rape of an 11-month-old baby. The judge at his trial described his crimes as having "plumbed new depths of depravity." Police found 90 images of child sexual abuse and approximately 20 images of bestiality on his computer. His sentence was later extended by ten months for possessing a mobile phone in prison.

Police Investigation Underway

West Yorkshire Police confirmed they were called to the prison following the assault and have launched a homicide investigation. Two men, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. The prison has been placed on lockdown while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Prison Security Concerns

The attack comes amid ongoing concerns about safety at HMP Wakefield. A recent HM Inspectorate of Prisons report from June-July 2025 highlighted increased violence levels and many prisoners feeling unsafe. The facility, nicknamed "Monster Mansion" for housing notorious offenders, faces significant operational challenges including insufficient work opportunities and declining infrastructure.

Musical Legacy Tarnished

Lostprophets, formed in 1997, achieved significant commercial success with albums like "The Fake Sound of Progress" and "Start Something." However, the band disbanded following Watkins' arrest in 2012, with remaining members forming No Devotion with American singer Geoff Rickly. Watkins' death marks the final chapter in a story that saw a successful musician become one of Britain's most reviled criminals.