Former drug kingpin Melvin Williams dies at 73

Melvin Williams, a former drug kingpin, who later became inspiration for 'The Wire,' passed away on December 3 in Baltimore. He was 73

Washington D.C.: Melvin Williams, a former drug kingpin, who later became inspiration for 'The Wire,' passed away on December 3 in Baltimore. He was 73.

Nicknamed Little Melvin, Williams once was a powerful force in the Baltimore drug trade in the 1970s and 1980s before he served years in a federal prison and turned away from crime, reports People magazine.

Getting inspired from his life, 'The Wire' creator David Simon penned a five-part Baltimore Sun profile of the former drug trafficker in 1987.

Showing his condolences, Simon took to his twitter and wrote, 'RIP to Melvin 'Little Melvin' Williams, 73, who made me begin to rethink the drug war. You ended it free, brother.'

The reason for William's death has not been disclosed yet.

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