Disgraced Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins died after being stabbed in the neck in an alleged prison attack, an inquest has heard.
Watkins, 48, died on October 11 after being assaulted at HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year prison sentence for child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.
The inquest, previously opened at Wakefield Coroner’s Court, was adjourned until an associated murder trial was completed.
Two men have been charged with murder in connection with Watkins’ death, while two other men, aged 23 and 39, arrested earlier this week on suspicion of conspiracy to murder were returned to prison while investigations continued.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff said Watkins, who was referred to by his full name of Ian David Karslake Watkins during the brief hearing, had been pronounced dead in West Yorkshire Jail by a treating doctor and was formally identified by a prison officer.
Longstaff said paramedics were called to the jail “following a report that he had been stabbed in the neck.”
The coroner said a post-mortem report indicated the cause of death was an incision to the neck.
‘Depths of Depravity’
In 2013, at Cardiff Crown Court, Watkins denied rape but admitted attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13.
He admitted 13 offences, including conspiracy to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven of taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possession of an extreme image involving a sexual act with an animal.
Prosecutors described him as a man corrupted by fame, drugs and power who had committed crimes “beyond imagination.”
Judge Royce said the case had broken “new ground” and “sunk to new depths of depravity”.
Watkins was also stabbed in prison in 2023. Following that attack, he was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, appeared in court last week charged with her murder, but were not asked to plead guilty.
Who was Ian Watkins?
Watkins was once one of Wales’ most renowned musicians – the frontman of the rock band Lostprophets.
The band formed in Pontypridd in 1997 and have sold millions of albums worldwide.
They released five studio albums, one of which reached number one in the UK.
The group also had some success in the US, with their second and third albums reaching the top 40.
They disbanded immediately after Watkins was convicted in 2013.
His former bandmates spoke publicly of their shock and disgust.
Bassist Stuart Richardson said in 2014: “Even though I was completely done with him, I hoped it was all a mistake, he was innocent, it had to be.
“The first time we knew the band was finished. You can’t go back.”
The remaining bandmates and American singer Geoff Rickly formed a new band, No Devotion, shortly after.
Hear highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Soundscatch up with the latest news Look North episode