Ian Watkins, the infamous frontman of Lostprophets, has died in prison following a violent attack behind bars, sparking a murder investigation.

The 48-year-old, once a rising star in the rock world who shared stages with Metallica and Slipknot, was serving a 29-year sentence for a series of shocking child sex crimes.

Police failed to take action
Former Welsh rock-star Ian Watkins was the lead singer and frontman of the rock band Lostprophets from 1997 to 2012.

In 2013, at the age of 36, he was found guilty of 13 sexual offenses, including the attempted rape of a baby, multiple assaults involving children, and possession of extreme pornographic material.

Reports of Watkins’ sexual abuse and mistreatment of children first reached South Wales Police back in 2008, including allegations that he gave kids drugs like cocaine — but the police failed to take action on any of the warnings.

At the time of sentencing, Justice Royce described his crimes as “plunging into new depths of depravity” and called him a “corrupting influence” with a “complete lack of remorse.” He warned that “any decent person… will experience shock, revulsion and incredulity.”

According to West Yorkshire Police, officers were called to HMP Wakefield on Saturday morning following reports of a serious assault.

Attacked in ”the most brutal way”
“A man aged 48 was found with serious injuries. Despite medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the scene,” the force said. Two men, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, and the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team is leading the investigation.

Reports suggest Watkins was stabbed in the neck during the assault, dying from blood loss. A source told the Daily Mail that the attack was “the most brutal way” and “shocking,” with “blood everywhere.” Despite guards rushing to the scene, “there was nothing they could do, and they couldn’t save him.”

He was airlifted by ambulance helicopter to the hospital, but his life could not be saved. According to Daily Mail, the former rock singer is one of the highest-profile prisoners to be killed in a British prison.

Opened for Metallica in 2004
And this wasn’t the first time Watkins was targeted behind bars.

In 2023, he was slashed with a sharpened toilet brush during a fight over a drug debt. A year earlier, he was held hostage for six hours and knifed, leaving him hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

Before his horrific crimes came to light, Lostprophets enjoyed international success, selling millions of records in the 2000s. Watkins even opened for Metallica during their 2004 European tour, with Slipknot also performing.

After his convictions, the remaining band members distanced themselves entirely, forming a new project called No Devotion with American singer Geoff Rickly.

Watkins’ fall from grace — from celebrated rock star to convicted child sex offender— has ended violently behind bars, leaving a trail of shock and revulsion that echoes far beyond the prison walls.