The cause of death has been confirmed for disgraced former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins.
The Welsh singer-songwriter died earlier this month while serving time at HMP Wakefield, one of Britain‘s highest-security prisons.
The disgraced rock singer was convicted in 2013 following one of the most shocking child s**ual abuse cases in recent British legal history.
Watkins was handed a 29-year sentence with an additional six years on license after admitting to a series of heinous offenses, including the attempted r*** of a fan’s 11-month-old baby, per The Guardian.
His crimes came to light following a drugs warrant execution at his Pontypridd home in September 2012.
Police seized numerous computers, mobile phones, and storage devices, and subsequent analysis of this equipment uncovered his depraved criminal behavior.
During his incarceration at HMP Wakefield, known colloquially as ‘Monster Mansion’ due to housing some of Britain’s most dangerous offenders, Watkins had previously been attacked.
In 2023, he was reportedly taken hostage by three inmates for six hours and stabbed, though he survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
Watkins appeared in court again in 2019 after being caught with a mobile phone behind bars, receiving an additional 10-month sentence.
During those proceedings, he described his fellow prisoners as ‘murderers, mass murderers, r**ists, p**dophiles, serial killers – the worst of the worst,’ The Independent reports.
Emergency services were summoned to HMP Wakefield on the morning of Saturday, October 11, 2025, following reports that Watkins had been attacked with a knife. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Friday, October 24, an inquest into his death was opened and adjourned at Wakefield Coroner’s Court.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff confirmed that Watkins, referred to by his full name Ian David Karslake Watkins during the brief hearing, was formally identified by a prison officer.
The cause of death has now been officially confirmed: Watkins died from a stab wound to the neck, per Sky News.
A post-mortem examination determined that an incision to the neck was the fatal injury.
Two inmates have been charged with murder in connection with his death. Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, appeared in Leeds Magistrates’ Court and subsequently at Leeds Crown Court, though neither was asked to enter pleas.
Both men are on remand awaiting trial, with a provisional trial date set for May 5, 2026. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.
Additionally, two other men from the prison, aged 23 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. They were interviewed in police custody before being bailed and returned to prison while investigations continue.
The coroner’s investigation has been suspended pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.
Mr. Longstaff noted that whether the inquest will need to be resumed following the conclusion of the trial ‘is a matter of complete speculation and remains to be seen.’
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of West Yorkshire Police, the senior investigating officer, stated: “Extensive inquiries remain ongoing in relation to the murder of Ian Watkins, and these arrests form part of that. Ian Watkins’ family is being updated as the investigation progresses.”
