🔗 Share this article Cause of Child Sex Offender Musician's Jail Death Disclosed Police Department The disgraced rock star from Pontypridd was sentenced to 29 years in prison plus six years on extended licence Shamed Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins passed away after being attacked in the throat in an alleged prison incident, an inquest has heard. Watkins, 48, died on 11 October after being targeted at HMP Wakefield, where he had been completing a 29-year jail sentence for child sex crimes including the attempted rape of a baby. The hearing, opened earlier at Wakefield Coroner's Court, was postponed pending the conclusion of an related murder trial. Two individuals have been accused with murder in connection to Watkins' death while two other men, aged 23 and 39, detained earlier this week on allegation of plot to murder were returned to prison as investigations continued. Coroner Findings Coroner Oliver Longstaff said Watkins, who was referred to by his full name of Ian David Karslake Watkins during the brief hearing, had been declared deceased at the West Yorkshire prison by an attending doctor and was formally recognized by a prison guard. Mr Longstaff said paramedics were called to the jail "following a report he had been stabbed in the neck". The examiner said a autopsy report gave the reason of death as an incision to the throat. 'Depths of Depravity' In 2013 at Cardiff Crown Court, Watkins refuted rape but admitted the attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13. He pleaded guilty to 13 offences, including conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, producing or holding indecent images of children and one of possessing an shocking image involving a sex act on an creature. Legal authorities had described him as a man influenced by fame, substances, and power who had committed crimes "exceeding imagination." Mr Justice Royce said the case had established "new ground" and "descended into new levels of wickedness". Watkins was also stabbed in prison in 2023. After that incident, he was taken to medical facility with wounds which were not life-threatening. Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were presented in court last week charged with his murder, but were not asked to enter pleas. Background of Ian Watkins? Media Archives Watkins performing in London in 2012 Watkins was formerly one of Wales' most recognisable artists - the lead singer of the rock band Lostprophets. The band started in Pontypridd in 1997, and sold millions of albums across the world. They produced five studio albums, one of which achieved number one in the UK. The group also had some achievement in the US, with their second and third albums attaining the popular charts. They disbanded immediately after Watkins was convicted in 2013. His previous bandmates spoke publicly about their surprise and disgust. Bassist Stuart Richardson said in 2014: "Although I was completely done with him, I wished it was all a mistake, he was innocent, he had to be. "The first time, we knew the band was done. You can't return from that." The other bandmates and American singer Geoff Rickly created a new band, No Devotion, soon after.