🔗 Share this article Cause of Paedophile Singer's Jail Death Revealed Police Department The shamed rock star from Pontypridd was sentenced to 29 years in prison plus six years on extended licence Shamed Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins passed away after being stabbed in the neck in an reported prison attack, an investigation has heard. Watkins, 48, succumbed on 11 October after being targeted at HMP Wakefield, where he had been serving a 29-year prison sentence for child sex crimes including the attempted rape of a baby. The hearing, opened earlier at Wakefield Coroner's Court, was postponed pending the conclusion of an associated murder case. Two men have been accused with murder in connection to Watkins' death while two other men, aged 23 and 39, detained earlier this week on suspicion of conspiracy to murder were returned to prison as inquiries proceeded. Official Statement Medical Examiner Oliver Longstaff said Watkins, who was identified by his full name of Ian David Karslake Watkins during the brief proceeding, had been pronounced dead at the West Yorkshire jail by an attending doctor and was formally recognized by a prison guard. Mr Longstaff said emergency services were summoned to the jail "following a report he had been attacked in the neck". The coroner said a autopsy report gave the reason of death as an wound to the neck. 'Extreme Wickedness' In 2013 at Cardiff Crown Court, Watkins denied rape but admitted the sexual assault and sexual assault of a child under 13. He admitted 13 offences, including plotting to rape a child, three counts of abuse involving children, seven involving creating, making or holding indecent images of children and one of having an extreme image involving a sex act on an animal. Legal authorities had portrayed him as a man influenced by fame, drugs, and power who had perpetrated crimes "exceeding imagination." Mr Justice Royce said the case had established "new ground" and "descended into new depths of wickedness". Watkins was also attacked in prison in 2023. After that attack, he was taken to medical facility with injuries which were not fatal. Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were presented in court last week charged with his murder, but were not asked to enter pleas. Who Was Ian Watkins? Media Archives Watkins performing in London in 2012 Watkins was formerly one of Wales' most recognisable artists - the lead singer of the rock band Lostprophets. The band formed in Pontypridd in 1997, and distributed millions of albums across the world. They produced five studio albums, one of which achieved number one in the UK. The group also had some success in the US, with their second and third albums attaining the top-40. They separated immediately after Watkins was found guilty in 2013. His former bandmates spoke publicly about their surprise and disgust. Bassist Stuart Richardson said in 2014: "Even though I was completely finished with him, I wished it was all a mistake, he was innocent, he had to be. "The first time, we knew the band was finished. You can't return from that." The remaining members and American singer Geoff Rickly formed a new band, No Devotion, soon after.