The sister of one of notorious serial killer Clifford Olson's victims says news of his death is "amazing."

Olson, who once called himself "the Beast of B.C." and infamously tormented his victims' families from prison, died at the age of 71 on Friday.

Earlier this month it was revealed Olson was gravely ill with cancer and was transferred to a Quebec hospital.

Trudy Court, whose 13-year-old sister Ada was murdered in 1981, says she will spend the weekend celebrating the news with her family.

"It's fantastic, wonderful. I'm walking on air," she told ctvbc.ca in a telephone interview from her Kamloops, B.C., home.

"We're going to raise some glasses tonight."

Ada disappeared while waiting for a bus after babysitting for someone in the same apartment complex where Olson lived. Her body was found two months later.

Olson was serving 11 consecutive life sentences after being convicted in 1982 of killing eight girls and three boys in British Columbia.

He was eligible for parole after 25 years, although that request has never been granted.

Last November, Olson said that he would never apply for parole again after his request was denied by the National Parole Board.

Olson pleaded guilty to the murders, which occurred in Metro Vancouver area in 1981.

The admission followed a deal that paid Olson $100,000 to lead police to the remains of his young victims. The case -- especially the blood-money payoff -- sparked a storm of controversy that engulfed senior B.C. justice authorities for years.

Olson never expressed regret or remorse for the murders and told authorities he had actually killed more than 100 victims.

Court said she has been haunted by seeing her sister's killer at parole hearings in the 30 years since the teen's murder, but maintains she was never afraid of him.

"I'm a fighter. It was initially unsettling but you just look at the man and see him for what he was. He was a monster," she said.

Court said news of Olson's passing means her family can finally put to rest a horrible chapter in their lives.

"We can finally get some peace."

Corrections Canada says Olson will be buried, not cremated, so that his DNA is not lost. The place of interment has not been revealed.