The two suspects arrested over the weekend in relation to the death of ex-Lostprophets vocalist Ian Watkins have now been publicly identified and formally charged. The 48-year-old Watkins was killed in prison this past Saturday, October 11th, reportedly having been stabbed/slashed in the neck by fellow inmates. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
The disgraced vocalist had been serving out his prison sentence of 29 years with an extended license of six years at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England — a sentence he received back in 2013 after being found guilty of numerous child-related sexual offences. A statement issued this morning (October 13th) on the matter by the West Yorkshire Police reads as follows:
“Detectives have charged two men with murder after the death of a prisoner at HMP Wakefield on Saturday.
Ian Watkins aged 48 was pronounced dead after being seriously assaulted at HMP Wakefield on Saturday morning(11 October).
Rashid Gedel aged 25 who self defines as any other black background and Samuel Dodsworth aged 43 who self defines as white British both of HMP Wakefield have both been charged with murder.
They are due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court this morning.”
Lostprophets had notable attained gold status in the United States and taken home a litany of platinum, gold and silver certifications in the UK prior to Watkins‘s actions. His fame endured to the point that an additional silver single certification was awarded to the band back in 2016, several years since his incarceration. His high profile was also said to have made him a target among fellow inmates.
In 2023, Watkins was stabbed and beaten in a dispute with at least one other inmate that was reportedly drug-related.
