Two Men Identified And Charged With Murdering Ex-Lostprophets Vocalist Ian Watkins In Prison

The two inmates arrested over the weekend in connection with the death of former Lostprophets vocalist Ian Watkins have now been publicly identified and formally charged. The 48-year-old was killed this past Saturday, October 11th, at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England, after reportedly being stabbed and slashed in the neck by fellow prisoners. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Watkins had been serving a 29-year prison sentence, with an additional six years on extended license, following his 2013 conviction for multiple child-related sexual offenses.

A statement released earlier today (October 13th) by West Yorkshire Police reads as follows:

“Detectives have charged two men with murder after the death of a prisoner at HMP Wakefield on Saturday.

Ian Watkins, aged 48, was pronounced dead after being seriously assaulted at HMP Wakefield on Saturday morning (11 October).

Rashid Gedel, aged 25, who self-defines as any other Black background, and Samuel Dodsworth, aged 43, who self-defines as white British—both of HMP Wakefield—have been charged with murder.

They are due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court this morning.”

Before his imprisonment, Lostprophets achieved considerable commercial success, earning gold status in the U.S. and multiple platinum, gold, and silver certifications in the UK. Despite Watkins’ convictions, the band’s music continued to sell, even receiving an additional silver single certification in 2016. Watkins’ notoriety reportedly made him a target among fellow inmates.

In 2023, the disgraced vocalist was also stabbed and beaten in a separate drug-related prison altercation.

Do you love independent bands, or are you in one? The Mosh Network is not just a rock/metal news website, but it doubles as an independent band directory, designed so that visitors can browse independent bands by not just subgenre, but location as well. It’s perfect to keep your finger on the pulse of your area’s hottest and newest bands or if you’re in a band, it’s a great way to find bands to network with! Click the banner below and start discovering bands all over the world, now!