Ian Watkins, the former frontman of the British rock band Lostprophets, was fatally stabbed in the neck while serving a 29-year prison sentence for multiple sex crimes against children.
Watkins was behind bars at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England when he was attacked and killed on October 11. He pleaded guilty in November 2013 to 13 child sex offenses — including making or possessing child pornographic images, sexually assaulting at least one child under 13 and attempting to rape a baby.
The disgraced musician’s cause of death was confirmed on Friday during an inquest at Wakefield Coroner’s Court, which has since concluded, BBC News reported.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff said paramedics responded to the detention facility “following a report [Watkins] had been stabbed in the neck.” He was subsequently pronounced dead on the scene by an attending doctor, and he was formally identified by a prison officer.
Longstaff added that while the coroner’s investigation would be suspended “pending the outcome of the criminal justice process,” it could resume if necessary.
The day after Watkins’ death, two men — Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43 — were arrested and charged with murder. The West Yorkshire police announced that two more men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder earlier this week. Their names have not been released.
“Extensive enquiries remain ongoing in relation to the murder of Ian Watkins and these arrests form part of that,” Longstaff said. “Ian Watkins’ family are being updated as the investigation progresses. However, we do not anticipate any immediate developments at this stage.”
