An Italian mafia boss has died in prison, prompting an urgent manslaughter investigation.
Cosimo Di Lauro, 48, had been sentenced to life in Opera prison in Milan, and was said to be one of the most ruthless and cold-hearted bosses in the Camorra mafia organisation.
The group is based in and around the Italian city of Naples, and the organisation's top don had overseen one of the biggest wars in Italian mafia history, with a war responsible for the deaths of over 150 associates across an eight-month period in 2005 and 2006.
The late Cosimo had been given the nickname The Designer Don for his taste in designer clothing and was nicknamed the Prince Regent by the media for his flamboyant lifestyle.
Reports indicate that an autopsy has been called on Cosimo, who was found dead at the prison he had been serving a life sentence at since 2005, the Daily Star reports.
The crime boss, who was found dead in his cell Monday morning, was the son of infamous mafioso Paolo Di Lauro, who is currently serving a 30-year sentence for drug trafficking.
A split between the Camorra family took place after Cosimo took over from his father, who was hiding from authorities.
This led to a gruesome war between the family that led to a number of deaths.
Don Murizio Patricello, an anti-Camorra activist and parish priest from Naples, wrote: "He is dead. Alone. After 17 years of hard time.
"He was still young. He died. Without a comfort."
"He died as a wretch. Yet he was very rich. May he have mercy on you and on your wicked life."
Cosimo is said to have inspired the hit crime series Gomorrah, which ended earlier last year after five seasons.
Italian media are also reporting that it is unlikely Cosimo will receive a public funeral.
