THE killer of teenage prostitute Carly Bateman is to be questioned in jail over the mysterious death of his 11-year-old daughter six years ago.

Geoffrey Porter is serving life for strangling 17-year-old Carly and dumping her body in an alleyway in the Haulgh in November 2001.

Detectives have now reopened an investigation into the death of his daughter Phyllis, whose body may now have to be exhumed. And her shocked mother Ann said: "I want my daughter to be left in peace."

Phyllis was found dead in her bed by her mother Ann at their family home in Kitt Green Road, Marsh Green, Wigan, in November 1996.

The exact cause of her death is still unknown and an open verdict was recorded at the inquest.

Today her tearful mother, who is still married to Porter, confessed that, although she is standing by her husband, Phyllis's death has never been far from her thoughts and she is still haunted by the fact that the cause is still a mystery.

Mrs Porter said: "It has been six years and not a day goes by when I don't think of her.

"Phyllis was as fit as fiddle. They couldn't find a single thing wrong with her. I was absolutely destroyed. If she had been ill, at least we would have know why. But now I don't know if I want to know."

Phyllis's funeral was held at the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Wigan, followed by burial at St Luke's in Orrell in February 1997.

The schoolgirl, who was named after her grandmother, was buried with her grandfather Patrick who had died from cancer two years earlier.

Scores of people turned out to bid farewell to the popular youngster including classmates from Highfield Special School in Leigh, where Phyllis attended.

A close friend sang her favourite song From a Distance to the packed congregation at the request of the family.

As she was buried, Geoffrey Porter broke down in tears at the graveside.

At the time of the funeral, Mrs Porter said: "When Geoff saw the coffin being lowered into the ground, it became too much for him and he just broke down. We miss her so much.

"The worst part is not knowing how she died. My husband and I have to be strong and carry on for the sake of our boys."

Police are now arranging to speak to Porter in his cell at Wakefield Prison. He also has previous convictions for indecent assault on three young girls under the age of 12 dating back 20 years.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "During the investigation into the murder of Carly Bateman, information came to light in respect of the unexplained death of Geoffrey Porter's daughter.

"A post mortem examination conducted by a Home Office pathologist proved inconclusive and the result was formally recorded as 'unascertained'.

"In the light of Porter's conviction for murder, it is prudent that we re-examine the circumstances of his daughter's death.

"At this stage there is no evidence to link him to his daughter's death and our enquiries are ongoing."