The investigation into the prison murder of former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has expanded, with West Yorkshire Police announcing the arrest of two additional inmates on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. The new arrests come just over a week after two other men were charged with the ki**ing itself.
The latest development in the case was announced on Tuesday, October 21. Police confirmed that two men, aged 23 and 39, were arrested from HMP Wakefield, the maximum-security prison where Watkins was fatally stabbed on October 11. They are currently in police custody for questioning.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of the Homicide And Major Enquiry Team provided an update on the ongoing investigation.
“Extensive enquiries remain ongoing in relation to the murder of Ian Watkins and these arrests form part of that,” Entwistle said. “Ian Watkins‘ family are being updated as the investigation progresses. However, we do not anticipate any immediate developments at this stage.”
The two newly arrested individuals join Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, who were charged with Watkins‘ murder last week and are currently remanded in custody awaiting trial.
Watkins, 48, was attacked and killed shortly after inmates were unlocked from their cells on the morning of October 11. Reports indicated his throat was slashed, and he died from blood loss at the scene.
A source told The Sun at the time: “[Ian] was targeted by another inmate who sh*nked him in the neck. Guards were nearby and raced to the scene pretty quickly — but there was nothing they could do, and they could not save him. It was a horrific scene, with blood everywhere and alarms and sirens going off. Police and ambulances were called and the whole prison was locked down with all cons confined to their cells.”
At the time of his death, Watkins was serving a 29-year sentence after being convicted in 2013 for multiple child s*x offenses. The crimes were discovered during a dr*g investigation. Following his arrest and conviction, his former bandmates in Lostprophets disbanded the group and went on to form the new band No Devotion.
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