Canadian Serial Killer Robert Pickton Dies At 74 Following Prison Attack

Robert Pickton, a Canadian serial killer who was responsible for the murders of at least six women and suspected of many more, died earlier this month as a result of an assault by another inmate, prison officials said. Pickton became notorious for luring people to his pig farm and then feeding the corpses to his animals. The 74-year-old, who had been serving a life term at Quebec's Port-Cartier Institution since his 2007 conviction for six counts of second-degree murder, died as a result of injuries incurred in the May 19 attack, according to Correctional Service Canada.

Serial Confession

Between 1978 and 2001, at least 65 women went missing in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood before Pickton was arrested. He was later arrested while operating his pig farm in Port Coquitlam, where authorities recovered the remains of 33 women. However, while conversing with an undercover detective in jail, Pickton suddenly admitted to the deaths of 49 women. Pickton's six confirmed victims were Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Ann Wolfe, Papin, and Marnie Frey. The discovery sparked the biggest serial killer investigation in Canadian history; Pickton's farm was deemed the country's biggest crime scene, and police collected 200,000 DNA samples.

Many of Pickton's victims were indigenous women, highlighting systemic issues as police were accused of negligence regarding cases involving marginalized individuals like prostitutes  or drug addicts. CSC acknowledged the profound impact of Pickton's crimes on communities, especially Indigenous peoples, victims, and their families, expressing sympathy towards them.

Responses

The news of Pickton's demise evoked mixed emotions among the families of his victims. Cynthia Cardinal, whose sister Georgina Papin fell prey to Pickton, expressed a blend of relief and sorrow, lamenting that some families didn't witness their cases proceed through the legal system. Michele Pineault, whose daughter Stephanie Lane was slain at 20, a crime for which Pickton was not charged, expressed elation at his death, citing the lack of justice for her daughter.

Robert Pickton is dead.

Don’t mourn him.

Mourn his victims. pic.twitter.com/GaVi5uDukW

— Duncan MacMaster The Internet’s Sweetheart (@FuriousDShow) May 31, 2024

Controversial Publication

In 2016, a controversial book allegedly authored by Pickton surfaced after being smuggled out of prison. Following the popular uproar, the book was quickly pulled from sale on Amazon. The story of Robert Pickton serves as a striking reminder of the long-lasting effect of his devastating murders on Canadian culture, as well as the ongoing struggle for justice for his victims and their families.