Ian Watkins, the ex-frontman of the Welsh rock group Lostprophets, years later in a predawn assault at Wakefield Prison. A fellow inmate later turned out to be the tragic cause of suicide in northern England. The tragedy, which happened for the first time Saturday morning, led to rapid-fire responses from city leaders. Watkins, then 48 years old, was in the midst of a 35 year prison term for a series of violent child sex crimes.
West Yorkshire Police reported that they received a call at 9:39 AM regarding an assault on a prisoner. Emergency services soon arrived, but it was too late. Watkins was declared dead at the scene just minutes later. The details of his death are still being determined.
In 2013, Watkins first gained international attention when he pled guilty to 13 counts. These involved two attempted rapes and multiple sexual assaults of children under age 13. He did not just rape and sexually assault minors, he conspired to do so. He had access to indecent and extreme pornographic images. These confessions resulted in his imprisonment for a very long period of time.
Prior to his conviction, Watkins had been well-known as the frontman of Lostprophets. The band continued to win new fans with electrifying live performances at festivals including the UK’s V Festival in August 2011. Fans and the music industry alike were reeling from his sudden fall from grace. He had previously received the highest honors for his amazing music skills.
Watkins’ violent death brings a new angle to a deeply disturbing story that has developed since his criminal convictions. His crimes ignited an important national conversation about child protection and the treatment of sex offenders in America’s prisons.
