A supporter of convicted child sex offender Peter Ellis says the case needs to be put to bed once and for all.

The 61-year-old died today after a short battle with bladder cancer.

He always maintained his innocence, despite being found guilty of abusing children at a Christchurch creche in 1993.

Last month he was given leave to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.

Author Lynley Hood has spent years looking into the case, and she told Andrew Dickens it's important the Court hears the appeal despite his death.

"It's important they are addressed so people can have confidence in the justice system that works."

She says she will remember Ellis for having an admirable character.

"He never blamed anybody. He was always concerned what the children have been put through. When he was asked what he thought of the sentence, he said 'well, if I had done those things, I would have deserved it'."