Carl Anthony Williams was born on October 13, 1970, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He grew up in Western Melbourne. As a child, he spent time with his friends and his older brother, Shane. Shane passed away from a heroin overdose in 1997, which was a significant loss for Carl.

Carl attended Broadmeadows Technical School but left in Year 11. He held various labouring jobs before trying to start a small business. He opened a children’s clothing store with his wife, Roberta Mercieca. However, this business did not succeed.

In 2001, Carl married Roberta. They had one daughter named Dhakota, who was born on March 10, 2001. Roberta was also involved in drug trafficking, which would become part of their lives.

On November 25, 1999, Carl, along with his father George and another associate, got into trouble with the law. They were arrested and charged with drug trafficking after police raided an illegal drug factory. This factory was located in a unit in Broadmeadows. The police seized over 25,000 amphetamine tablets worth about A$20 million.

Carl described himself as a semi-professional gambler. He often visited the Crown Casino in Melbourne. However, he was banned from the casino in April 2004 by the police commissioner due to gambling-related issues.

Carl faced more family tragedy when his mother, Barbara Williams, died on November 22, 2008. She passed away from a drug overdose in what was reported to be a suicide. Barbara had been struggling with depression at the time of her death.

On 13 October 1999, a violent incident occurred when Carl Williams was shot in the abdomen by Jason Moran due to a debt of $80,000. This shooting marked the beginning of the Melbourne gangland killings.

On 15 June 2000, Mark Moran was shot after he returned to his home in Aberfeldie. Williams faced trial for this murder but managed to have the charge dropped when he pleaded guilty to other murders instead.

On 21 June 2003, Jason Moran and his colleague Pasquale Barbaro were killed in a parking lot following an Auskick football clinic in Strathmore. They were shot while sitting in Moran's minivan with five young children in the back. The shooter, later known as Victor Brincat, claimed that Carl Williams had paid him to carry out the hit.

On 18 August 2003, a fire in Sunshine led to the discovery of a body in a wheelie bin. This body was identified as Mark Mallia, an associate of a murdered gangster.

On 25 October 2003, Michael Marshall was shot outside his home in South Yarra in front of his five-year-old son.

Lewis Moran was targeted next and was fatally shot at the Brunswick Club on 31 March 2004.

Carl Williams was arrested and, on 28 February 2007, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court of Victoria to the murders of Jason Moran, Lewis Moran, and Mark Mallia. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder gangland rival Mario Condello but had previously received immunity for the murder of Mark Moran. He was serving a sentence of 21 years for the murder of Michael Marshall during this time.

Williams was involved in the gangland wars of Melbourne, where he ordered multiple hits on individuals part of rival gangs. His life ended violently on 19 April 2010 when he was murdered by another inmate, Matthew Charles Johnson, while in Barwon Prison. Johnson used an exercise bike handle to inflict the fatal injuries. Following Williams's death, an investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding it, leading to a report that criticized the prison management for allowing Williams to share a cell with Johnson.