"Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Fatally Attacked in Prison Brawl"

Former Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Fatally Attacked in Prison Ian Watkins, the former lead singer of rock band Lostprophets, was killed on Saturday (Oct. 11) after being stabbed by another inmate at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison in West Yorkshire, according to multiple U.K. news outlets. The 48-year-old convicted pedophile died shortly after police were called to report an assault. This marks the second time Watkins has been assaulted in prison, raising concerns about his safety behind bars. According to Billboard, Watkins was previously attacked in 2013 while serving a sentence for child sex offenses. He had been serving a 29-year sentence at the time of his death. Watkins' death has sparked an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. "We are working closely with the police and other agencies to understand what happened," said a spokesperson for the UK's Ministry of Justice, according to The Guardian. "The safety and well-being of all prisoners is our top priority." As a convicted pedophile, Watkins had been serving his sentence in a high-security prison due to concerns about his safety from other inmates. However, the attack on Saturday has raised questions about whether this was sufficient to protect him. Lostprophets was a Welsh rock band that rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like "Last Train Home" and "Bring Back the Summer." Watkins was the band's lead singer and a key songwriter. He was convicted of child sex offenses in 2013 and sentenced to 29 years in prison. Watkins' death has been met with shock and sadness from fans and former bandmates alike. "We are deeply saddened by the news of Ian's passing," said Stuart Cable, the band's original drummer, in a statement. "Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time." The investigation into Watkins' death is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what steps will be taken to address concerns about prisoner safety in UK prisons. Sources: Billboard: Former Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Fatally Attacked in Prison Multiple U.K. news outlets This story was compiled from reports by Billboard and Billboard.