Overview

• West Yorkshire Police said staff at HMP Wakefield reported an assault at 9:39am and that a man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterward.
• Detectives from the force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating, and the Prison Service says it will not comment further while inquiries continue.
• Multiple outlets identify the victim as former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence with a further six years on licence for child sex offences.
• Officials have not confirmed how the attack was carried out or whether a suspect is in custody, though some media reports cite unnamed sources alleging a knife was used and the prison was locked down.
• Watkins previously suffered non-life-threatening stab wounds during a 2023 hostage incident at the same prison, highlighting earlier safety concerns around his custody.