Death of a superstar.

The city of Melbourne was rocked by the murder of its most famous citizen this week. The victim, pictured above walking with his wife Roberta, was the subject of a mini-series that won his portrayer (and Roberta's) critical recognition and blockbuster ratings. The shelves of 'crime' sections across Melbourne's numerous bookstores sag with books adorned with his portly mug. Roberta herself wrote a bestselling tome, describing life with her celebrity husband and his 'colourful' cohorts, and continues to get paid for providing 'exclusive access'.

Who is this man who once referred to himself as 'The Premier' because he 'ran this f*cking state'? The man who had morning radio DJs asking callers where they were the moment they learned he'd been killed?

The man is Carl Williams, Australia's most notorious gangster. During Melbourne's 'gangland wars' of the late '90s - early '00s, Williams was responsible for the murders of nearly every member of the Moran family, a competing pack of low-life drug dealers who'd shot Williams in 1999 over the production and distribution of amphetamine. His baby-faced, bogan appearance made him an unlikely drug kingpin and mafia don. Which, of course, only added to his marketability.

Williams has been jailed in isolation since 2007 but around lunchtime on Monday had his skull crushed by one of the two inmates allowed to share an exercise room with him. He was found dead in his cell soon afterwards. No guards witnessed the attack, either in person or via CCTV. The other inmate was on a wall phone throughout the attack. Watching.

Suspicious, no?

There are now three inquiries looking into how such a high-profile prisoner could be murdered in a maximum-security facility. On the morning of his murder, Melbourne's leading tabloid reported that Victorian police had paid $8000 towards his daughter's tuition at a private school. Coincidence? Not according to so-called experts. If it turned out Williams was cooperating with police in return for financial assistance it would make him a 'dog', the lowest form of prisoner. The Herald-Sun denies its front page treatment of the story led to Williams's murder and their columnists are predictably decrying his fame. Fame they manifested, stoked and made untold riches exploiting.

Who's next?