Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death in prison of the former Lostprophets singer and convicted child sex offender Ian Watkins. The 48-year-old was serving a 29-year sentence at HMP Wakefield for a string of sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers were called to the prison at 9.39am on Saturday 11 October following reports of a serious assault. Watkins was found with serious injuries and pronounced dead at the scene. A 25-year-old and a 43-year-old have been arrested and remain in police custody.
Watkins, who was born in Pontypridd, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court in 2013 after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences. During sentencing, the judge stated that his crimes 'plumbed new depths of depravity'. He had previously been attacked in the same prison in 2023.
A Prison Service spokesperson said they could not comment while the police investigation continues.
