Notorious Lostprophets paedophile Ian Watkins has become the subject of a murder investigation following the suspicious death of a fellow inmate at HMP New Hall.
The investigation centres on the death of Joanne Mjadzelics, a convicted killer found unresponsive in the prison cell she shared with Watkins. Authorities have confirmed they are treating the 38-year-old's death as murder.
Prison Cell Tragedy
Mjadzelics, who was serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of 70-year-old Marie Smedley in 2018, was discovered in critical condition on Tuesday afternoon. Despite immediate medical attention, she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
The two inmates were sharing accommodation at the women's prison in Flockton, West Yorkshire, where Watkins is currently serving a 29-year sentence for multiple child sex offences.
Investigation Underway
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police confirmed: "We were called to HMP New Hall at 2:42pm on Tuesday following reports of a woman in a critical condition. The woman was pronounced dead a short time later."
"A murder investigation is underway and a woman in her 40s has been arrested in connection with the incident. She remains in custody at this time."
Notorious Criminal Histories
Watkins, the former frontman of the rock band Lostprophets, was described by sentencing judges as a "determined and committed paedophile" when he received his substantial prison term in 2013. His crimes were labelled among the most horrific and shocking ever encountered by UK prosecutors.
Mjadzelics had been convicted just last year for the vicious killing of Marie Smedley during a burglary in Nottingham. The court heard how she had subjected the elderly woman to a sustained and brutal attack.
The Prison Service has confirmed that both the police and the Prison and Probation Ombudsman have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding this tragic prison death.
