Former Lostprophets singer and convicted sex offender Ian Watkins died on Saturday (Oct. 11) after being attacked in prison, according to the BBC. He was 48 years old.

The disgraced musician was serving a 29-year sentence at HM Prison Wakefield (also known as “Monster Mansion”) in West Yorkshire, England, for multiple child sex offenses, including the attempted rape of a baby.

How Did Ian Watkins Die?

As reported by The Sun, police and medics were called to the prison, where Watkins’ attacker — a fellow inmate — allegedly slashed the singer’s jugular, resulting in death from blood loss.

“Watkins has been killed in the most brutal way possible — and the attack was shocking, even by prison standards,” a source informed The Sun. “Guards were nearby and rushed to the scene quickly — but there was nothing they could do to save him.”

This was not Watkins’ first experience with violence while incarcerated. In 2023, fellow inmates reportedly held him hostage and stabbed and beat him. One source described his condition at that time as “life-threatening.”

Why Did Ian Watkins Go to Jail?

Watkins was sentenced in December 2013 after pleading guilty to 13 offenses, which included two counts of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault of a child under 13; three counts of sexual assault involving children; six counts of taking, making, and possessing indecent images of children; and one act of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.

Mr. Justice Royce stated that the case “broke new ground” and “plunged into new depths of depravity” as he sentenced Watkins to 35 years in prison (29 years behind bars and six years on license), while also highlighting the singer’s “corrupting influence” and “complete lack of remorse.” Two mothers of children he abused were also sentenced to 14 and 17 years in prison.