This article contains references to child abuse.
Disgraced British rocker Ian Watkins, who was a singer in the band Lostprophets before being jailed over child sexual abuse, died after being attacked in prison on Saturday, UK media reported.
Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year-long jail sentence after being convicted in December 2013 for several serious child sex crimes, including the attempted rape of a baby.
According to sources cited by the PA news agency, he passed away after an attack by a fellow inmate at the prison in Wakefield, located in northern England.
An undated handout photograph made available by South Wales Police on 26 November 2013 showing Ian Watkins. Source: EPA / South Wales Police
Local police said they were called to the prison on Saturday morning after an assault was reported.
“Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later,” West Yorkshire Police said in a statement.
The singer, whose band sold millions of albums around the world, was also taken to the hospital in 2023 after being attacked, with UK media reporting he had been taken hostage by other inmates.
Lostprophets, who formed in 1997 and had a string of gold albums in the United States and platinum albums in Britain, disbanded shortly after charges were made against Watkins.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
