Ian Watkins
Ian Watkins | |
|---|---|
Watkins with Lostprophets in 2010 | |
| Born | Ian David Karslake Watkins 30 July 1977 Merthyr Tydfil, Wales |
| Died | 11 October 2025 (aged 48) HM Prison Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England |
| Cause of death | Stab wound to the neck |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Convictions |
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| Criminal penalty | 29 years and 10 months imprisonment, plus 6 years on extended licence |
Date apprehended | 17 December 2012 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1991–2012 |
| Formerly of | Lostprophets |
Ian David Karslake Watkins (30 July 1977 – 11 October 2025) was a Welsh singer, songwriter, and convicted child sex offender. He was the lead singer and frontman of the rock band Lostprophets from 1997 to 2012. Watkins founded Lostprophets with Lee Gaze in 1997, having previously been in a band called Fleshbind with him. Lostprophets released five studio albums, four of which made the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart, including Liberation Transmission which went to number 1 in 2006.
Watkins was sentenced to 29 years' imprisonment in 2013 for multiple sexual offences. He pleaded guilty to sexual assault of children, including those as young as infants, and the possession of child and animal sexual abuse material. His bandmates disbanded Lostprophets shortly before his trial. Watkins died after being attacked while imprisoned at HM Prison Wakefield on 11 October 2025. A post-mortem report found that he died from a stab wound to the neck. West Yorkshire Police have charged two men with his murder.