Two More Men Arrested in Connection with Death of Former Ian Watkins
British authorities have announced the arrest of two additional inmates in the investigation into the death of Ian Watkins, the former frontman of the Welsh rock band Lostprophets. The 48‑year‑old was serving a lengthy prison sentence at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire when he died on 11 October 2025 following a serious assault.
The newly arrested suspects, aged 23 and 39, were also inmates at the prison and have been apprehended on suspicion of “conspiracy to murder.”
Previously, two men, aged 25 and 43, had already been charged with his murder and are set to appear at court.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, from the Homicide & Major Enquiry Team, said investigations remain “extensive and ongoing” and that Watkins’s family are being kept informed. He added that no immediate further developments are expected at this stage.
Background
Ian Watkins was serving a 29‑year prison sentence with an additional six years on licence for child sexual offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, when the assault occurred.
The assault at HMP Wakefield reportedly occurred in the morning of 11 October; Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene. Two men were initially arrested shortly thereafter on suspicion of murder.
Watkins had previously been attacked at the same prison in August 2023, when he sustained non‑life‑threatening injuries after reportedly being taken hostage by inmates.
Implications
The latest arrests mark a significant development in the investigation into Watkins’s death. The fact that the suspects are fellow prisoners raises further questions about security and inmate safety at HMP Wakefield. Authorities are examining possible motives and the circumstances of the assault.
The case has also brought renewed media and public attention to Watkins’s past offences and his fall from rock‑star status with Lostprophets. The band disbanded after his arrest and conviction in 2013.