Two more men have been arrested in connection with the murder of disgraced Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins, bringing the total suspects to four. The horrific killing happened inside HMP Wakefield, one of Britain’s most notorious prisons, on October 11.
Conspiracy to Murder Charges in Maximum-Security Jail
West Yorkshire Police revealed the latest arrests involve men aged 23 and 39, held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Both remain in custody and will be questioned before being bailed back to prison as investigations continue.
Detectives believe Watkins’ throat was slit in a coordinated attack, not a random outburst. Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “Extensive enquiries remain ongoing. These arrests form part of that.” He added Watkins’ family are being kept updated but warned no immediate developments are expected.
Two Already Charged, Trial Set for May
- Rico Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, previously charged with Watkins’ murder, appeared in court last week.
- Neither entered a plea; a trial is provisionally set for May next year.
- Only one suspect is believed to have wielded the murder weapon.
A plea and trial prep hearing will take place in November, potentially revealing more of the prosecution’s case.
The Shocking Backstory: ‘He Knew His Time Was Up’
Watkins, 48, was serving nearly 30 years for vile child sex offences, including the attempted rape of an 11-month-old baby—crimes so monstrous they even shocked hardened inmates. Sources say Watkins lived on a general wing with dangerous criminals, rather than being segregated for his safety.
“It was as if he knew his time was up,” a source said. Watkins reportedly paid other inmates for protection but was repeatedly attacked, including a stabbing in August 2023 that landed him in hospital.
He was fatally attacked during association time when prisoners mingled freely. Guards rushed in but couldn’t save him. One insider described “a horrific scene with blood everywhere and alarms going off.”
Wakefield’s ‘Monster Mansion’ Fails to Keep Child Sex Offenders Safe
HMP Wakefield, nicknamed “Monster Mansion,” is home to some of Britain’s worst criminals—serial killers, terrorists, and serious sex offenders. Despite maximum security, Watkins’ killing has spotlighted cracks in the prison system.
Questions now swirl over why Watkins remained on the general wing despite multiple previous attacks and his high-profile status as a despised paedophile. Four suspects from different age groups hint at a coordinated inmate plot.
Police Probe Deepens as Trial Looms
The investigation continues to unveil whether prison staff missed intelligence that could have prevented the attack. Four men now face scrutiny for conspiracy to murder, with two charged outright. The trial set for May will be closely watched.
Watkins’ family, already burdened by his heinous crimes, now face further trauma in the wake of his violent death behind bars.
