Former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins was killed in an attack at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire on October 11, 2025. The 48-year-old musician was serving a 29-year sentence for multiple child sex offences when he was reportedly ambushed and fatally injured in a knife attack.
Police and paramedics responded to a call from prison staff at approximately 09:39 local time. Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after emergency services arrived. A murder investigation has been initiated by detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, with ongoing inquiries taking place at the prison.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police confirmed the incident, stating, “At 9.39am this morning, police were called by staff at HMP Wakefield reporting an assault on a prisoner. Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.”
The Prison Service also acknowledged the incident but refrained from further comment while the investigation unfolds.
Watkins was convicted in December 2013 after pleading guilty to a series of sexual crimes, including the attempted rape of a fan’s infant child. His arrest was part of a broader investigation that began in 2012, when authorities executed a drugs warrant at his residence in Pontypridd, Wales. During this operation, police seized numerous computers, mobile devices, and storage units, which revealed the extent of his criminal activities.
The musician had previously faced violence in prison, having been stabbed during an altercation in 2023. At that time, he suffered non-life-threatening injuries after reportedly being taken hostage by three inmates for six hours.
Details surrounding his death indicate that Watkins’ attacker inflicted a severe injury to his neck, believed to be a slash to his jugular vein, resulting in rapid blood loss. A source informed The Sun that the attack was exceptionally brutal, stating, “Watkins has been killed in the most brutal way possible – and the attack was shocking, even by prison standards.”
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with alarms sounding and guards quickly responding to the incident. Despite their efforts, they were unable to save Watkins. The prison was placed on lockdown, confining all inmates to their cells as authorities managed the situation.
As the investigation continues, further details about the circumstances surrounding Watkins’ death may emerge, shedding light on the life and crimes of a figure whose notoriety has left a lasting mark on both the music industry and the public consciousness.
