The state secretary of public safety has ordered an independent review of a Department of Corrections investigation into the prison death of notorious child rapist Richard A. Ausley.

The 64-year-old inmate was found beaten and strangled in his cell in Sussex I State Prison in January. Another inmate, 24-year-old Dewey K. “Frankie” Venable , was charged with capital murder in May after an investigation by the Department of Corrections’ inspector general’s office.

Ausley had spent much of his life in prison for violent sexual assaults on teenage boys in South Hampton Roads, including repeated attacks on one teenager that ended when he abandoned the boy in a wooden box.

Venable, a childhood victim of sexual abuse, had told family members that he had asked not to be housed with a child molester, and he has said that he resisted moving to a cell with Ausley.

On Wednesday, officials said Secretary John W. Marshall made the request after questions were raised about Ausley’s death.

“We just thought it would be best to have state police look at it,” said Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Barry Green. “It’s really asking them to see what was done and should other things be done.”

It was unclear Wednesday whether the review would affect Venable’s pending criminal case.

Venable’s aunt, Patricia Nelson, said she was reassured at the new development. “The family’s really glad that there’s going to be a further look into this incident,” Nelson said. “It’s a start.”

In Massachusetts, officials recently conducted an inquiry into the prison slaying of a former priest and convicted pedophile, John J. Geoghan, by an inmate who said he was sexually abused as a boy.

As a result, reforms were recommended.

Reach Amy Jeter at 446-2793 or amy.jeter@pilotonline.com.