But Milat continued to protest his innocence,consistent with the claims he had made throughout his trial and imprisonment,in defiance of families and police hoping for a deathbed confession.

His antics included typing the words"Ivan is innocent"on Dymo tape and plastering it around the walls of the prison and severing his finger with a plastic knife with the intention of sending it to the High Court to urge a review of his trial.

In a three-page letter toThe Sydney Morning Herald in August,heattacked the lead investigator,NSW detective Clive Small,and claimed he was denied natural justice in the court proceedings.

Milat's nephew Alistair Shipsey,who believes his uncle was framed for the murders,said Milat was in a good state of mind when he visited him in hospital two days ago.

"All we did was talk about his case,"Mr Shipsey said."That's all we ever talked about – the lies,no case,no proof.

"To tell the truth,I'm glad he's out of pain ... I will remember him as an outstanding person in the family,that had a big heart. He's no murderer."

Milat's brother,Bill,was not told of his death until he was contacted by the media on Sunday morning,Bill's wife Carol told theIllawarra Mercury.

"They said they have to inform us before a media release[is issued],"Carol told theMercury on learning of Milat's death."Unbelievable."

At the time of his diagnosis,Milat had been living in solitary confinement in Goulburn's supermax prison,but was transferred to the hospital ward at Long Bay prison for the last months of his life.

He had reportedly lost 20 kilograms and weighed just 44 kilograms when he was transferred from the supermax.

Milat's death will be the subject of a coronial inquest according to the procedure afforded to all deaths in custody,including those from natural causes. His next-of-kin will be consulted on the disposal of his body.