Ian Watkins’ ex-girlfriend speaks out after paedophile Lostprophets singer killed in prison attack
The ex-girlfriend of pedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has spoken out after he was murdered in prison.
The former frontman, 48, was attacked at HMP Wakefield on Saturday morning and was jailed for 29 years for a string of child sex offences. Two people were arrested on suspicion of murder.
To talk Daily Mail, Joanne Mjadzelics, whose crimes were brought to light, said: “It’s a huge shock but I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner. I’ve always been waiting for this phone call.”
“From the first day he entered prison, he was walking around with a target on his back.
“I was always afraid of him going out and following me or something, so this was a relief.”
Since Watkins had been in prison for almost three decades in 2013, Ms. Mjadzelics suffered from PTSD and self-harm issues as a result of their relationship.
“I wanted him to die for a long time after everything he did. I’m relieved, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” he said.
“This is the second time he’s slit someone’s throat. I expected it to happen before. He’s been there for almost 13 years.”
In 2023, Watkins was held hostage by other inmates for several hours and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
He added that her death could now allow “a new chapter of her life” to begin.
Ms. Mjadzelics and another person reported Watkins to authorities four times before he was arrested, but he was not believed.
“The man I loved never existed. He manipulated me, and that man who died in prison today was a stranger to me. I never loved him, he just took on a character,” she said.
Watkins was sentenced to 29 years in prison, with a further six years on license, after admitting a string of sexual offenses, including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.
He was arrested in September 2012 when a number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized following the execution of a drugs search warrant at his home in Pontypridd.
Analysis of the equipment revealed Watkins’ immoral behavior.
He was told he could not appeal the length of his prison sentence due to the “shocking depravity” of his crimes in 2014.
He has now become one of the most well-known inmates killed in a prison.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man at HMP Wakefield.
“Police officers were called at 9.39am this morning to reports of a serious assault on a prisoner by prison staff.
“A 48-year-old man was found seriously injured. Despite medical attention, it was determined that he died at the scene.
“Two men, aged 25 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in police custody.
“Detectives from the Homicide Squad and Major Investigation Team are continuing the investigation and investigations are ongoing.”
