Further arrests in prison death murder inquiry

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in connection with the death of singer Ian Watkins at HMP Wakefield.

The former Lostprophets frontman, who was serving a 29-year prison sentence for sexual offenses against children, died after being attacked in a high-security prison on October 11.

West Yorkshire Police said the men, aged 23 and 39, were held in prison on suspicion of attempted murder.

Det Ch Insp James Entwistle said: “Extensive investigations into the murder of Ian Watkins are continuing and these arrests form part of that.”

He added: “Ian Watkins’ family are being updated as the investigation progresses.

“However, we do not expect any immediate developments at this stage.”

Police said both men “remain in police custody and will be questioned today, then released on bail and returned to prison while investigations continue.”

Two men, 25-year-old Rico Gedel and 43-year-old Samuel Dodsworth, have already been charged with murder and are due to go to trial in May 2026.

The inquest into Watkins’ death will begin at Wakefield Coroner’s Court on Friday.

Watkins was jailed in 2013 after pleading guilty to 13 crimes, including attempted rape of a baby.

Before his conviction, he was the lead singer of the rock band Lostprophets.

Formed in Pontypridd in 1997, the four-piece became one of the UK’s biggest bands, scoring 11 top 40 hits and number one albums between 2002 and 2010.

In a statement released after the conviction, the remaining members of the group said they were “heartbroken, outraged and disgusted” by his crimes, adding that their “hearts go out” to his victims.

Last month A report on conditions at HMP Wakefield He said violence had “markedly increased” since the previous inspection in 2022.

It was also stated that the prison’s “infrastructure is in poor condition”, citing “repeated malfunctions of essential equipment” and “some important elements of the prison’s perimeter security systems”.