Former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins died from a stab wound to the neck, an inquest opening has heard.
Disgraced rock star Watkins, 48, died after an alleged attack at HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences.
On Friday an inquest into Watkins’ death was opened and adjourned at Wakefield Coroner’s Court.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff said Watkins, who was referred to by his full name of Ian David Karslake Watkins during the brief hearing, was pronounced dead at the West Yorkshire jail on October 11 by an attending doctor, and was formally identified by a prison officer.
Mr Longstaff said paramedics were called to the prison, where Watkins was a serving prisoner, ‘following a report he had been stabbed in the neck’.
The coroner said a post-mortem report gave the cause of death as an incision to the neck.
He said other prisoners had been charged with murder and the coroner’s investigation would be suspended ‘pending the outcome of the criminal justice process’.
Mr Longstaff said: ‘Whether an inquest into the death requires to be resumed following the conclusion of that criminal process is a matter of complete speculation and remains to be seen.’
