Denver, CO (AHN) - It was recently revealed by officials that the father of actor Woody Harrelson died in prison last week. Charles Voyde Harrelson was serving time behind bars for killing a U.S. judge in 1979 when he was suddenly found dead in his cell.

Harrelson was convicted for shooting Judge John Wood and sentenced to two life terms. In 1995, he tried to escape from a federal prison in Atlanta but failed miserably. Since then he had been serving time at Supermax, highest-security federal prison, in Colorado.

Over the years, Harrelson claimed he was an innocent man and that he did not have anything to do with the killing. His son, Woody, has always believed him.

Felicia Ponce, U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman, says it is believed Harrelson died of natural causes. An autopsy is currently underway.

Woody has yet to comment on his father's death.