UK3 min(s) read
Second prisoner stabbed to death in UK's infamous 'Monster Mansion' prison where Ian Watkins was killed just weeks ago
A child killer has been found dead in his prison cell at HMP Wakefield. Kyle Bevan, who had been serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of a toddler in 2020, was discovered dead on the morning of November 5, 2025.
West Yorkshire Police received reports of the 33-year-old's death at approximately 8:25AM and began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding it. The Prison Service confirmed Bevan's identity and said the death is being treated as suspicious.
Bevan had been jailed for the murder of two-year-old Lola James, who suffered catastrophic injuries at his hands. His arrest and conviction followed a horrifying assault in which Lola sustained 101 injuries, including fatal brain trauma.
The crime occurred in the early hours of July 17, 2020, while Bevan was looking after the child at her home in Pembrokeshire, Wales. In 2023, during Bevan's sentencing, Judge Martin Griffiths called his actions an "assertion of superiority over the only person he could feel superior to – a helpless child," per BBC News.
Police investigation and arrests
Following Bevan's death, three other inmates at HMP Wakefield were arrested on suspicion of murder. Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service stated that they could not offer further details while the police probe continues. The case is the second suspicious death at the prison in a short period; less than a month earlier, paedophile singer Ian Watkins was fatally attacked at the same high-security facility on October 11, 2025.
Ian Watkins. Credit: Pier Marco Tacca / Getty
The prison, known for housing dangerous criminals, has faced criticism for rising violence in recent months. A September inspection report noted an increase in violent incidents. The Ministry of Justice has since said it is taking additional steps to improve safety and reduce violence in high-security prisons like Wakefield.
Despite this, Andrea Coomber, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, commented that Wakefield, being a high-security facility, should ideally offer better safety due to its higher levels of staffing and resources.
Bevan's background and the impact of his crime
Kyle Bevan's conviction followed a chilling case in which he killed his girlfriend’s young daughter. Lola James, described as a "happy" and "beautiful" child, was subjected to a savage attack while in Bevan's care.
Her death deeply affected her mother, Sinead James, who was also found guilty of causing or allowing her daughter’s death and received a six-year prison sentence.
Kyle Bevan was jailed for life in 2023. Credit: Dyfed-Powys Police
The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the community and on those who were involved in the case. Although Bevan is now dead, the circumstances surrounding his passing have raised new questions about the conditions inside one of the country’s most notorious prisons.
With the investigation continuing, many are left wondering what led to this fatal event and how the safety of prisoners, especially those with high-profile cases, can be better ensured in the future.