Ian Watkins, Former Lostprophets Frontman, Died from Stab Wound in Wakefield Prison
Coroner Oliver Longstaff opened an inquest into the death of Ian Watkins, 48, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Wakefield, a prison in West Yorkshire, on October 11. Watkins, a former member of the rock band Lostprophets, was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offenses. An investigation into Watkins' death was suspended pending the outcome of a murder trial, during which two inmates, Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were charged with his murder.
Key Takeaways:
- Ian Watkins, 48, died from a stab wound to the neck in HMP Wakefield on October 11.
- Watkins was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offenses and was found guilty of attempted rape of a fan's baby.
- Inmates Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were charged with Watkins' murder.
- A post-mortem report listed the cause of death as an incision to the neck.
- Watkins was previously taken to hospital in 2023 after being attacked by three other inmates, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
- Watkins was also jailed for 10 months in 2019 for possessing a mobile phone in prison.
Statistics:
- Watkins was 48 years old at the time of his death.
- He was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offenses.
- The trial of Gedel and Dodsworth is expected to take two to three weeks and is set to begin on May 5.
- Watkins was found guilty of attempted rape of a fan's baby in 2013.
- Watkins was previously attacked in prison in 2023, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
Sources:
- West Yorkshire Police {no date provided}
- Wakefield Coroner's Court {no date provided}
- BBC News: "Ian Watkins: Inquest opens into death of former Lostprophets singer" {no date provided}