Peter Gotti dead: Mob boss and brother of ‘Dapper Don’ John dies in prison aged 81

A mobster boss who headed one of the most “vicious” gangs in New York has died behind bars.

Gambino family boss Peter Gotti died aged 81 in jail, his lawyer confirmed.

Peter was the successor and older brother of to John “Dapper Don” Gotti.

He was convicted in 2004 after being found guilty of racketeering conspiracy, including charges of placing a $70,000 bounty on the head of Gambino family turncoat Sammy (The Bull) Gravano, reports Daily News.

In 2002, Peter’s younger brother John died while in jail too.

Peter’s attorney James Craven III said: “I had a call (Thursday) morning that he died.

“That’s all I know. I liked him … may he rest in peace.”

It comes after Peter lost two bids to be released on compassionate grounds.

He had been suffering from heart problems, dementia, blindness and cancer, according to court papers.

Peter’s release date was down as 2032.

His request for early release was shot down by Manhattan Federal Judge Colleen McMahon in December.

He noted: “Gotti headed one of the most vicious and violent organised crime organisations in New York for a number of years.”

Before become a mobster, Peter was a retired sanitation worker who collected a disability pension.

He “accidentally” became a mobster as acting Gambino boss in 1997 and as boss in 2001.

The mob boss reportedly died from natural causes.

He was one of 13 children, and was born in 1939 in New York.

Peter died at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina.