Two additional inmates have been arrested in connection with the killing of disgraced Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins, who died following a violent incident at HMP Wakefield earlier this month.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed on Monday that two men, aged 23 and 39, were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Both will be formally interviewed by detectives before being released on bail and returned to custody as investigations continue.
Fresh Twist in Notorious Singer’s Prison Death Probe
Emergency services were called to the maximum-security prison on the morning of Saturday, 11 October, after reports emerged that Watkins had been fatally attacked with a knife.
Despite rapid response efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Watkins’ death has reignited fierce public debate over prison safety, justice for victims of abuse, and the high-risk environment for notorious inmates behind bars.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, who is leading the case, commented: “Extensive enquiries remain ongoing in relation to the murder of Ian Watkins and these arrests form part of that.”
He also confirmed that Watkins’ family is being kept updated as developments unfold, though no further immediate announcements are expected.
This comes just days after two other inmates, Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were formally charged with Watkins’ murder. Both men appeared in court last week, first at Leeds Magistrates’, and then at Leeds Crown Court.
Gedel, referred to in court documents as Rico Gedel, insisted on appearing in person rather than via video link. Dodsworth, however, attended remotely from Wakefield Prison. Neither defendant was required to enter a plea at this stage.
Judge Guy Kearl, the Recorder of Leeds, scheduled a provisional trial date for 5 May, with proceedings expected to last between two to three weeks.
Watkins’ Dark Legacy
Ian Watkins, once the frontman of the Welsh rock band Lostprophets, was serving a 29-year prison sentence with an additional six years on licence. He was convicted in 2013 after pleading guilty to a string of horrific sexual offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.
The shocking extent of his crimes came to light after police raided his Pontypridd home in 2012 during a drugs operation. Devices seized during the search revealed deeply disturbing content, which led to his eventual conviction.
His appeal against the sentence was dismissed in 2014, with judges citing the “shocking depravity” of his actions.
Watkins’ notoriety made him a marked man in prison. In 2023, he was previously held hostage by three fellow inmates and was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ex-Girlfriend Reacts to Death
Joanne Mjadzelics, Watkins’ former partner and the whistleblower who played a pivotal role in exposing his crimes, expressed a mix of shock and relief upon learning of his death.
“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,” she told The Daily Mail.
She went on to say that the news could mark the beginning of a “new part of her life.”
High-Profile Death Behind Bars
Watkins’ killing marks one of the most high-profile prison deaths in recent UK history. His name, once associated with fame and adulation, became synonymous with horror and betrayal.
Now, his violent death inside prison walls is sparking renewed scrutiny over inmate safety and the complexities of justice in closed institutions.
As the investigation widens and more individuals are drawn into the case, questions remain not just about how Watkins met his end, but whether the system did enough to protect and manage such a volatile inmate. More updates are expected in the coming weeks as detectives pursue every line of inquiry.
