Ian David Karslake Watkins was a Welsh singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the lead singer and co-founder of the rock band Lostprophets. Born on July 30, 1977, in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, Watkins grew up in Pontypridd and attended Hawthorn High School. It was there that he met future bandmate Mike Lewis, and they began exploring music together. Watkins co-founded Lostprophets in 1997 with Lee Gaze, and the band quickly gained popularity. They released five studio albums between 2000 and 2012, achieving significant success with hits like "Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja" and their number one UK album "Liberation Transmission" in 2006. The band's music was well-received globally, with two top 10 singles in the UK and a number one on the US alternative chart. However, Watkins' life took a dramatic turn when he was convicted of multiple child sex offenses in 2013. He pleaded guilty to attempting to rape an 11-month-old child and possessing child and animal abuse material, leading to a 29-year prison sentence. Following his conviction, Lostprophets disbanded, and Watkins became a figure of public revulsion. In recent years, Watkins' case has been the subject of scrutiny, with investigations highlighting potential failures in the earlier handling of allegations against him. On October 11, 2025, Watkins was killed in an attack while imprisoned at HM Prison Wakefield. His death has led to further investigation, with two men charged with his murder. Despite his tragic and controversial life, Watkins remains a figure of public interest due to his former fame and the gravity of his crimes.