Ian Watkins’ Lostprophets bandmate issued a four-word warning before his crimes were exposed

A former bandmate of Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins issued a chilling warning about the singer shortly before his horrific crimes were exposed.

Watkins, 48, died last weekend in Wakefield Prison after being fatally attacked by two other inmates. At the time of his passing, the rock star was serving his sentence at the infamous ‘Monster Mansion’ prison for his heinous crimes. He had been convicted in 2013 of multiple child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby. He was serving a 29-year sentence.

‘He’s succumbed to darkness’

via South Wales Police

According to the Daily Telegraph, guitarist Mike Lewis warned the rest of the band in 2012 to “stay away from him.” Journalist Ian Winwood, who recounted the story, said Lewis added that Watkins “had succumbed to darkness.” This warning came in the months before the full extent of Watkins’ crimes became publicly known.

Music journalist Gavin Allen used to accompany the band during tours. He said Watkins had begun distancing himself from his bandmates around 2007. Allen told the BBC, “By the end of the touring schedule he was keeping himself apart,” He added, “In hindsight, it looks like he was hiding what he was doing from the rest of the band.”

Watkins reportedly developed dependencies on cocaine and methamphetamine during the mid-2000s, which contributed to tension within the band.

Lostprophets ultimately broke up after Watkins’ conviction. The remaining members later formed the band No Devotion.

When sentencing Watkins, Mr Justice Royce said it was impossible to predict “what extremes Watkins would have gone to were it not for his arrest.” He added that the case “plunged into new depths of depravity.”

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Watkins’ ex-girlfriend, Joanne Mjadzelics, also spoke publicly following his death. She described the news as a relief, saying she had long feared what Watkins might do if released.

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