Watkins‘s former girlfriend Joanne Mjadzelics, who was instrumental in exposing his crimes, told the Daily Mail about Ian‘s murder: “This is a big shock, but I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner. I was always waiting for this phone call. He was walking around with a target on his back from the first day he entered the prison. I have always been scared of him getting out and tracking me down or something, so this is a relief.”

Mjadzelics, who had reportedly suffered with PTSD and self-harming issues as a result of her relationship with Watkins, added: “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.

“This is the second time someone has slashed his throat. I expected it to have happened earlier. He’s been in there for almost 13 years.”

Watkins was previously stabbed in an incident at the same prison in 2023. On that occasion, he suffered non life-threatening injuries after he was reportedly taken hostage by three other inmates before being freed by prison officers six hours later.

The Sun reported earlier this week that Ian Watkins has died after being attacked in prison. 

The 48-year-old was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offenses at British maximum security prison HMP Wakefield when he had his throat slashed after inmates were unlocked from their cells this Saturday morning, October 11.

Watkins‘s attacker reportedly slashed his jugular, causing Ian to die from blood loss.

A source told The Sun: “Watkins was targeted by another inmate who shanked 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.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident at HMP Wakefield which took place this morning. We are unable to comment further while the police investigate.”

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “At 9.39am this morning, police were called by staff at HMP Wakefield reporting an assault on a prisoner. Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating and inquiries remain ongoing at the scene.”

In 2013, Watkins was convicted of 13 child sex offenses. These crimes only came to light following a drug investigation.

The newspaper reports he was taken hostage by three other inmates on Saturday morning (August 5) and was freed by prison officers six hours later.

A source told The Sun: “Watkins was attacked today by three pretty heavy-duty cons. They got hold of him on B-wing and dragged him into a cell where they roughed him up and barricaded themselves in. He was screaming and was obviously terrified and in fear of his life. They put the whole wing on lockdown and then sent in riot teams. Other prisoners heard three loud flash bangs which was when the officers got into the cell and threw grenades to stun the attackers and take them by surprise. It seems like the prison officers might have saved his life.

“Watkins is obviously unpopular because of who he is — and has been walking around with a huge target on his back.

“They got him on a Saturday, which is generally quieter with less staff on and it seems to have been planned.

“People heard that he was in a bad way when he came out but will probably survive.

“He was taken to Leeds and was still in hospital.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an incident which took place on Saturday at HMP Wakefield.

“We are unable to comment further while the police investigate.”

In 2013, Watkins was convicted of 13 child sex offenses. These crimes only came to light following a drug investigation.

After Watkins was arrested in 2012 for drug charges, which included possession of methamphetamines and cocaine, police searched his property and computer, where they found “overwhelming evidence that he was a pedophile,” according to the Guardian. At least 90 photos were found in his possession displaying indecent photos of children ages ranging from 2 to 14 years old.

Six people came forward to make allegations against Watkins before he was finally arrested and jailed for 35 years, the report from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found.

Watkins admitted the attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13 but pleaded not guilty to rape. He also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.

Ian initially claimed he was the “victim of a malicious campaign” against him, telling police during interviews he was being stalked by “a crazed fan” and other people had access to his computers.

Watkins‘s disgusted LOSTPROPHETS bandmates called it quits in 2013, just before the frontman pleaded guilty to his crimes. They subsequently formed a new group, named NO DEVOTION.

LOSTPROPHETS formed in 1997 and sold 3.5 million albums in their 16-year career. They scored a No. 1 hit at Modern Rock radio in 2004 with the track “Last Train Home”.

In August 2019, Watkins was found guilty of possessing a mobile phone while in prison. He was found with the phone in his cell at HMP Wakefield.

Watkins allegedly used the phone between March 4, 2018 and March 10, 2018 to contact a woman he previously had a relationship with and later hid the phone inside his anus while serving time at the prison.

Watkins was removed from his cell after officers received intelligence he was illegally storing a phone.

The singer told jurors that he hid the phone in prison because he was threatened by two fellow inmates, but he refused to name the men who allegedly ordered him to look after the device.

Watkins said his fellow inmates at HMP Wakefield were “murderers and handy,” adding, “You would not want to mess with them.”