Ian Watkins’ Brutal Cause of Death Confirmed: Lostprophets Singer Died from Stab Wound at HMP Wakefield

The official cause of death for disgraced Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has been confirmed by a coroner. Watkins, 48, died inside HMP Wakefield earlier this month after suffering a fatal incision wound to the neck. The revelation came during a brief inquest hearing held on Friday, October 24, 2025.

Coroner Oliver Longstaff stated that documents presented to the court confirmed Watkins’ death was caused by a stabbing to the neck. He was pronounced dead at the high-security prison on October 11 by an attending physician. Two fellow inmates have since been charged with his murder.

Coroner Confirms Stabbing as Cause of Death

The inquest at Wakefield Coroners’ Court heard that Ian Watkins was identified by a prison officer and found to have sustained an incision wound that led to his death. The coroner formally suspended the investigation pending the outcome of the ongoing criminal case. According to authorities, Watkins was attacked inside the prison on the morning of October 11 and died shortly afterward despite medical assistance.

Two prisoners — Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43 — were brought to court last week and charged with murder. They have not yet entered pleas. Both men remain in custody awaiting further hearings. The coroner’s confirmation formally ends speculation surrounding the circumstances of Watkins’ death.

Watkins, born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, on July 30, 1977, had been serving a 29-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in 2013 to 13 child sex offenses, including the attempted rape of a baby. He was also placed on extended license for six years after completing his term. Prosecutors had described him as a man corrupted by fame, drugs, and power — committing acts “beyond imagination.”

Watkins’ Prison Life and Previous Attack

Before his death, Ian Watkins was serving time at HMP Wakefield — often referred to as “Monster Mansion” because it houses some of the UK’s most dangerous inmates. He had been targeted several times since his incarceration. In August 2023, Watkins was reportedly taken hostage and stabbed by three other inmates, leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries.

Prison sources had described Watkins as a high-risk target due to the nature of his crimes and his notoriety. Reports at the time indicated that he was often segregated from other prisoners and received limited movement privileges for his own protection. However, the latest attack proved fatal despite existing security measures.

Reaction and Wider Impact

The news of Watkins’ confirmed cause of death has reignited debate over prison safety, particularly for high-profile offenders convicted of sexual crimes. Critics argue that even inmates with notorious reputations are entitled to protection under UK law, while others have expressed little sympathy given the nature of his offenses.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that police are leading the murder investigation and that additional safety reviews are being conducted at HMP Wakefield. Watkins’ former bandmates from Lostprophets previously issued a statement distancing themselves from him and his crimes, calling his acts “abhorrent.”

Ian Watkins’ death closes one of Britain’s darkest chapters in music history. The coroner’s confirmation of a fatal neck wound highlights both the violent reality of prison life and the lingering consequences of the singer’s horrific crimes.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was Ian Watkins’ official cause of death?

The coroner confirmed that Ian Watkins died from an incision wound to the neck after being stabbed inside HMP Wakefield.

Q2: When and where did Ian Watkins die?

Watkins was pronounced dead on October 11, 2025, at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison in West Yorkshire, England.

Q3: Who has been charged with his murder?

Two inmates, Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, have been charged with the murder of Ian Watkins. They have not entered pleas yet.

Q4: What crimes was Ian Watkins convicted of?

In 2013, Watkins pleaded guilty to 13 child sex offenses, including the attempted rape of a baby, and was sentenced to 29 years in prison with a six-year extended license.

Q5: Was Ian Watkins previously attacked in prison?

Yes. In 2023, Watkins was stabbed and held hostage by fellow inmates but survived that incident with non-life-threatening injuries.