We’re learning more about the killing of Ian Watkins, the evil former lead singer of Lostprophets

For a while earlier in the century, Wales’ Lostprophets had a moment with a worldwide fanbase. Then we learned about the horrible perversions of lead singer Ian Watkins. I covered his crimes on episode 15 of my true-crime-and-music podcast, Uncharted.

Watkins was arrested, convicted, and sent away to rot in prison for the rest of his life. The other inmates didn’t make it easy, either. There was at least one severe beating. He lasted until about 9:20 am on October 11, 2025, when he took a shiv to the neck three times and bled out on the prison floor. He was declared dead less than an hour later.

Two inmates were charted, Rico Gedel, a 25-year-old, was charged with the stabbing. Samuel Dodsworth, 44, was charged with aiding and abetting the murder by getting rid of the weapon. Both men are currently on trial in Leeds.

The trial heard that after the stabbing, a “perky” Gedel boasted to guards that “they’d bee soon talking to someone famous.” The court also heard that Geldel said to guards, “If I’m going to do life for murder, I’m going to make sure it’s worth it.”

He was also asked who was responsible for the murder, Gedel responded, “God.” The jury also heard that Watkins had received two notes the day before, accusing him of ratting out on another prisoner and getting him kicked out of that wing of the prison.

More on the trial here and here.