Prison officers discover body of child murderer Kyle Bevan inside high security Wakefield jail amid ongoing violence among inmates in West Yorkshire

Another dark chapter has unfolded inside HMP Wakefield, one of Britain’s most notorious high-security prisons.

Authorities have confirmed the death of Kyle Bevan, the man who was serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of his two-year-old stepdaughter, Lola James.

Bevan was found unresponsive in his cell early Monday morning, sparking a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Tragic Case That Shocked Wales

Bevan’s name became synonymous with horror in 2023 when he was convicted of murdering little Lola in what the court described as a “frenzied and violent attack.”

The toddler, who lived with her mother, Sinead James, in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, suffered more than 100 separate injuries.

Doctors described her as one of the most severely beaten children they had ever seen.

According to evidence presented in court, Bevan launched the attack while Lola slept, and her mother, who had ignored repeated warnings about his violent temper, was later found guilty of failing to protect her daughter.

Prison Service Confirms the Inmate’s Death

A spokesperson for the Prison Service released a brief statement confirming Bevan’s death at HMP Wakefield on November 5.

“We are unable to comment further while the police investigate,” the spokesperson said.

The prison, which holds over 600 inmates, is home to some of the UK’s most dangerous and high-profile offenders.

Just months ago, inspectors described Wakefield as a facility “under strain,” with reports of rising violence and growing tensions among inmates.

Many prisoners, particularly older men convicted of sexual offences, said they felt unsafe sharing space with younger, more volatile offenders.

A Murderer Without Remorse

At his sentencing in April 2023, Judge Mr. Justice Griffiths described Bevan as completely devoid of empathy.

“He showed no remorse,” the judge said, noting that Bevan didn’t even pretend to be upset about Lola’s injuries.

He was sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in prison.

Sinead James, who met Bevan online and allowed him to move in within days, was sentenced to six years for causing or allowing her child’s death.

Despite multiple injuries to Lola before the fatal attack, she continued to leave her daughter in Bevan’s care.

A Mother’s Regret and a Family’s Endless Grief

Lola’s grandmother gave an emotional statement in court, describing her granddaughter as a “cheeky monkey” who loved the outdoors and was happiest “covered in mud.”

Through tears, she said she still couldn’t bring herself to remove Lola’s clothes from the wardrobe or her toys from the cupboard.

Her heartbreaking words echoed the grief of Lola’s father, Daniel Thomas, who described his daughter as “bright as the golden sun.”

He said the memory of finding her lifeless in a hospital bed would haunt him forever.

Missed Warnings and Lockdown Failures

Investigations later revealed that social services had already raised concerns months before Lola’s death.

A domestic violence report had triggered a referral in early 2020, but the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic halted follow-up visits.

Bevan moved into the family home just as lockdown restrictions began, cutting off face-to-face welfare checks.

Tragically, five months later, Lola was found fatally injured.

Bevan initially claimed the family dog had pushed her down the stairs, but medical evidence showed her injuries were consistent with a sustained assault.

A Disturbing Pattern of Neglect

The case drew comparisons to other devastating child abuse tragedies in Wales, including the 2021 murder of five-year-old Logan Mwangi and the death of 16-year-old Kaylea Titford.

Both cases raised questions about how social services failed to protect vulnerable children during lockdowns.

Following these repeated tragedies, Welsh Conservatives have urged the Labour government in Cardiff to launch a comprehensive review of child protection policies, arguing that preventable deaths are happening “far too often.”

Pembrokeshire Council Promises a Full Review

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that a “child practice review” is underway to examine the failures that led to Lola’s death.

A council spokesperson offered condolences to the family, acknowledging that no review could ever erase the pain of losing a child in such horrific circumstances.

Officials clarified that the local authority was not actively involved with the family at the time of Lola’s death but admitted to having prior contact in earlier years.

A Troubled Man and a Violent Past

Bevan’s history was marked by drug abuse and violence.

Known as a heavy user of “spice,” amphetamines, Xanax, and cannabis, he had a reputation for his volatile temper.

His partner had even tried to perform a domestic violence background check under Clare’s Law, but Bevan refused to provide the required information.

Instead of seeking help for Lola’s injuries, Bevan filmed a 22-second video of her unconscious body and searched online for what to do when a child becomes “limp and snoring” after a head injury.

Wakefield’s Dark Reputation

Bevan’s death at HMP Wakefield comes only weeks after another notorious inmate, former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins, was murdered inside the same facility.

Watkins, who was serving nearly 30 years for child sex crimes, was stabbed in the neck by fellow inmates during a morning unlock period in October.

Authorities have since charged two prisoners—Rico Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43—with his murder.

The coroner confirmed that Watkins died from an incision wound to the neck after being ambushed by fellow inmates.

A Prison Under Pressure

Wakefield, often referred to as “Monster Mansion,” continues to face scrutiny for housing some of Britain’s most dangerous men under one roof.

With two inmate deaths within weeks, questions are mounting about safety, oversight, and whether staff can truly control an increasingly violent environment.

While the investigation into Bevan’s death is ongoing, the chilling overlap between his story and Watkins’ murder underscores the volatile atmosphere within one of Britain’s toughest prisons—where justice, revenge, and despair often collide behind bars.