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'Austin Powers' Actor Suspected In Prison Cellmate's Murder

WASCO (CBS) — A bit actor, who appeared in the first "Austin Powers" movie and was later convicted of gang rape, is now a suspect in the murder of his cellmate at a California prison.

Joseph Son, 40, has been identified as a suspect in the death of an inmate at Wasco State Prison, according to officials. The 50-year-old inmate, who has not been publicly identified, was found dead in his cell on the evening of Oct. 10.

He was serving a 2-year sentence at the time of his death.

Prison officials have not released the circumstances surrounding murder.

Son was sentenced in September to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 1990 Christmas Eve gang rape of a Southern California woman. Son repeatedly raped and sodomized the woman while pistol-whipping her and threatening to kill her.

Son was later linked to the crime through DNA testing

He was transferred from an Orange County Jail to Wasco State Prison on September 16.

In 1997′s "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," Son wore a bowler hat and played one of Dr. Evil's henchmen, named Random Task.

» RELATED STORY: Bit 'Austin Powers' Actor Gets Sentenced To Life In Prison For Gang Rape

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