Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins at HMP Wakefield. The 48-year-old, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences, was pronounced dead after a serious assault on Saturday morning.
West Yorkshire Police said officers were called to the prison at 9:39am on 11 October to reports of a serious assault. A man aged 48 was found with serious injuries and died at the scene. Two men, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.
Sources confirmed to the PA news agency that Watkins was attacked with a knife by another inmate. A Prison Service spokesperson declined to comment while the police investigation continues.
Watkins had previously been attacked at the same prison in 2023, when he was taken hostage by three inmates and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was serving an extended sentence after admitting offences including the attempted rape of a baby, with the judge stating his crimes “plumbed new depths of depravity.”
