Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins was found dead after being attacked in prison on Saturday, according to the BBC. He was 48 years old.
Watkins was sentenced to 29 years in prison at HMP Wakefield after being found guilty of multiple sexual assault and exploitation offences, including heinous crimes against children, babies and animals.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed the death of the 48-year-old singer after being called to prison on Saturday morning by an assaulted prisoner and finding Watkins. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The BBC reported that Watkins was attacked with a knife by another inmate. While the exact details and motives for the attack have yet to be revealed, a prison service spokesperson said a police investigation is currently underway.
Rolling Stone previously reported that the musician was attacked in prison in August 2023 by three other inmates. The incident left him with several injuries to his neck that forced him to seek immediate medical attention.
According to Rolling Stone, Watkins was first arrested in September 2012 after police officers confiscated a large amount of mobile phones and storage devices after carrying out a drug search warrant at his home in Pontypridd, a town in Wales.
He was jailed in December 2013 after admitting attempted rape and sexual assault of a minor, along with a series of other sexual offenses against children.
Watkins, a rock star in his 20s, founded the Welsh rock band Lostprophets in 2000. Their most popular hits include “Lost Train Home” and “Rooftops.”
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