• Ian Watkins, former singer of Lostprophets, died in a prison attack at HMP Wakefield.
• He was serving a 29-year sentence for multiple child sex offences, including attempted rape of a baby.
• Two inmates have been charged with his murder following the incident.
• Watkins' death has reignited concerns about prison safety and violence.

Ian Watkins, the former frontman of the band Lostprophets, was killed on Saturday at HMP Wakefield while serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences. Reports indicate that he was fatally stabbed by another inmate, with police and paramedics confirming he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the attack at approximately 9:39 AM, according to BBC and Independent.

West Yorkshire Police have since arrested and charged two men, aged 25 and 43, with Watkins' murder. They are due to appear in court to face these serious allegations, as confirmed in statements from the police and reported by Channel News Asia, and CBS News.

Watkins, who had pleaded guilty to 13 counts of child sex offences in 2013, including the attempted rape of a baby, had become a highly unpopular figure in prison due to the nature of his crimes. Following an earlier attack in August 2023 which left him with non-life-threatening injuries, concerns were raised about his safety within the prison system, as highlighted by SCMP and Independent.

Authorities are investigating the events surrounding Watkins' death, amid a backdrop of increasing violence at HMP Wakefield. An inspection earlier this year indicated a significant rise in serious assaults and reported feelings of unsafety among prisoners, particularly those convicted of sexual offences, according to findings shared by BBC and Independent.

Watkins' death has garnered significant media attention, drawing responses from former acquaintances and highlighting the consequences of his heinous crimes. His status and past as a rock star are starkly contrasted by the violent end of his life, reflecting deep societal issues surrounding accountability for such serious offences, as noted by Independent and CBS News.