Police are questioning an inmate at Barwon Prison over the bashing death of Melbourne gangland killer Carl Williams.
Williams, 39, died after suffering head injuries from an "implement" before going into cardiac arrest at Barwon Prison, outside Geelong, his lawyer Rob Stary confirmed.
Reports suggest the mass murderer was struck from behind with a piece of metal removed from an exercise bike.
PHOTOS: The life of Carl Williams
Victoria Police confirmed the death in a statement, and said that they had detained a man for questioning.
"Police believe an altercation occurred between Williams and another inmate about 12.50pm with Williams suffering head injuries after allegedly being struck about the head," the statement read.
"A man is in custody and will be spoken to by police as part of the ongoing investigation."
Williams was allowed to associate with just two other inmates for just six exercise hours a day, between 8am and 2pm.
Reports said prison officers were just 10m away from the prisoners when the attack took place.
The incident is also believed to have been captured on CCTV cameras.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics arrived at the high security prison about 1.20pm and found a man in a critical condition.
Williams was housed in solitary confinement at the prison's Acacia Unit outside exercise hours, Mr Stary said.
Underworld figure Mick Gatto said he had heard unconfirmed rumours about Williams having died but said that was all he had heard.
"I would rather let dead dogs lie," he told AAP.
"If you hear any more let me know but I would rather not comment on him."
He said Williams was "certainly not" a friend.
Williams was serving 35 years for the murders of four gangland rivals during Melbourne's underworld war.
He was found guilty of killing Jason Moran, Lewis Moran, Mark Mallia and Michael Marshall as well as conspiring to murder Mario Condello.
He had one child, a daughter, with his ex-wife Roberta Williams, a convicted drug trafficker.
He divorced from Roberta after being jailed.
Williams' father George was released from prison in June 2009 after serving a sentence for drug trafficking, while his mother Barbara was found dead in November 2008 after an apparent overdose.
Williams became a deadly player in the infamous Melbourne criminal scene after he was shot in stomach by Jason Moran over a drug-related debt in October 1999.
He survived the attack but became involved in a bitter and bloody feud with the Moran family and their associates.
He came to be nicknamed the "baby-faced killer".
Williams was in the news headlines today after reports Victorian police had been paying for his daughter to attend a prestigious private school in Melbourne.
Williams had been upset this morning over the Herald Sun report, his lawyer said.
"Of course he was (upset),'' Mr Stary told AAP, who said he had spoken with Williams about 9am.
"It exposes his daughter to risk. Of course he was concerned about that. He was not concerned about his own wellbeing, he was concerned about her.
"I just hope that justice prevails.''
Channel Nine will screen a special on the life and times of Williams at 8.30pm tonight, titled Carl Williams: Baby Faced Killer.
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