Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Killed in UK Prison, Ex-Girlfriend Reacts

Ian Watkins, former frontman of the British rock band Lostprophets, was murdered in prison Saturday morning, authorities confirmed, days after serving over a decade of a 29-year sentence for some of the most serious sex crimes in recent UK history.

Watkins, 48, was reportedly attacked with a homemade weapon while leaving his cell, suffering a fatal cut to his jugular. Sources familiar with the incident described the attack as “brutal and shocking, even by prison standards.”

Ex-Girlfriend Responds to News of Death

Joanne Mjadzelics, a former girlfriend of Watkins who helped expose his crimes, told the Daily Mail she was relieved by his death and surprised it had not occurred sooner.

“I was always waiting for this phone call,” she said. “He was walking around with a target on his back from the first day he entered the prison. I expected it to have happened earlier.”

Mjadzelics said she had lived in constant fear of Watkins seeking revenge after she reported him to authorities, leading to his 2013 conviction.

“This is a relief,” she said. “I wanted him dead for a long time after everything he did. I am relieved, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my head.”

Crimes and Conviction

Watkins rose to fame with Lostprophets in the early 2000s, enjoying over a decade of international success. In 2012, he was arrested for drug-related offenses, but police investigations revealed a much darker side, including child sexual abuse, possession of child sexual abuse material, and extreme sexual offenses involving infants.

Authorities said that Watkins admitted to preying on the children of female fans, sending messages that referenced ownership of both the mothers and their babies.

Following his conviction in 2013, Watkins was sentenced to 29 years in prison, with restrictions that prevented him from appealing, citing his “shocking depravity,” according to court records reported by the Independent.

Reactions from Those Close to the Case

Mjadzelics said she no longer feels grief over Watkins’ death, noting that the man she had dated had been a manipulative and false persona.

“The man I fell in love with never existed,” she said. “He manipulated me and that man who died today in prison was a stranger to me. I never loved him, he just put on a character.”

Authorities have not released details regarding the inmate responsible for the attack, nor have they disclosed whether a motive has been established. The UK prison service said it would conduct a full investigation into the murder.

Impact on Music Community and Public Reaction

The news of Watkins’ death has sent shockwaves through both the music community and the UK public. Lostprophets’ former bandmates previously expressed horror at his crimes and distanced themselves from him after his conviction.

Social media has seen mixed reactions, with many expressing relief or outrage over the brutality of his death.

Criminologists note that high-profile offenders in prison, particularly those convicted of sexual offenses against children, are often at higher risk of targeted violence.

“Prison dynamics are harsh, and offenders with extreme crimes can become targets,” said Dr. Helen Cartwright, a UK-based criminal justice expert. “It’s a sad and violent end, but it reflects ongoing security challenges within correctional institutions.”

Ongoing Investigation

The UK prison service has confirmed that Watkins’ death is being treated as homicide. Police and prison authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing inmates and staff to determine how the attack occurred and whether it could have been prevented.

Officials said additional details will be released as the investigation continues.

Ian Watkins (b. 1977) —
Former Lostprophets frontman convicted of sexual offenses against children, killed in prison in October 2025 at age 48.