๐ Share this article Cause of Child Sex Offender Musician's Jail Demise Disclosed Police Department The disgraced rock star from Pontypridd was handed to 29 years in prison plus six years on extended licence Shamed Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins passed away after being attacked in the throat in an alleged prison attack, an inquest has heard. Watkins, 48, died on 11 October after being assaulted at HMP Wakefield, where he had been completing a 29-year prison sentence for child sex crimes including the attempted rape of a infant. The inquest, opened earlier at Wakefield Coroner's Court, was adjourned pending the conclusion of an associated murder case. Two men have been charged with murder in relation to Watkins' death while two other suspects, aged 23 and 39, detained earlier this week on allegation of conspiracy to murder were returned to prison as investigations proceeded. Official Statement Coroner Oliver Longstaff said Watkins, who was identified by his full name of Ian David Karslake Watkins during the brief proceeding, had been declared deceased at the West Yorkshire prison by an on-call doctor and was formally recognized by a prison officer. Mr Longstaff said emergency services were summoned to the jail "following a report he had been stabbed in the throat". The examiner said a autopsy report gave the reason of death as an incision to the throat. 'Extreme Wickedness' In 2013 at Cardiff Crown Court, Watkins refuted rape but confessed to the attempted rape and abuse of a child under 13. He pleaded guilty to 13 offences, including plotting to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, producing or possessing indecent images of children and one of having an extreme image involving a sex act on an animal. Legal authorities had portrayed him as a man influenced by fame, drugs, and power who had committed crimes "beyond imagination." Mr Justice Royce said the case had broken "new ground" and "descended into new levels of wickedness". Watkins was also stabbed in prison in 2023. After that incident, he was taken to medical facility with injuries which were not life-threatening. Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were presented in court last week accused with his murder, but were not required to enter pleas. Who Was Ian Watkins? Media Archives Watkins performing in London in 2012 Watkins was once one of Wales' most famous artists - the lead singer of the rock band Lostprophets. The band formed in Pontypridd in 1997, and sold millions of albums across the world. They produced five studio albums, one of which reached number one in the UK. The group also had some achievement in the US, with their second and third albums reaching the top-40. They separated immediately after Watkins was found guilty in 2013. His former bandmates spoke publicly about their surprise and disgust. Bassist Stuart Richardson said in 2014: "Even though I was completely finished with him, I wished it was all a mistake, he was not guilty, he had to be. "The first time, we knew the band was finished. You can't return from that." The other members and American singer Geoff Rickly created a new band, No Devotion, shortly thereafter.