Infamous Canadian Serial Killer Robert Pickton Dies After Attack in Prison
Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton, notorious for the gruesome murders of six women, died at the age of 74. Pickton succumbed to injuries sustained in a brutal attack by a fellow inmate on May 19th at the Port-Cartier penitentiary in Quebec. The Correctional Service of Canada announced his death, affirming that an investigation into the attack has commenced. The assailant, a 51-year-old inmate, used a broomstick handle sharpened into a spear to inflict fatal wounds on Pickton, who was placed in an induced coma before passing away.
Convicted in 2007, Pickton was serving a life sentence for the murders of six women on his pig farm in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Despite being convicted of six, he was suspected of having killed many more, with authorities finding partial remains of 33 women on his property. Originally facing charges for 26 murders, the government prosecutors decided to drop additional charges to expedite the legal proceedings. Described as 'the Vancouver Monster,' Pickton bragged about murdering 49 women and disposing of their bodies on his farm.
Impact and Controversy Surrounding Pickton's Crimes
The discovery of human remains on Pickton's property in 2002 cast a harsh light on the police's handling of the numerous disappearances from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, a neglected area where many of his victims lived. Pickton's victims were primarily sex workers and drug addicts, many of whom were Indigenous women. The failure of the police to act promptly has long been attributed to systemic biases, including racism and discrimination against marginalized communities
The horrific nature of the crimes, including claims that Pickton fed human remains to his pigs and possibly sold contaminated meat to the public, has left an indelible scar on the community. Families of the victims expressed a complex mix of emotions upon learning of Pickton’s death. For some, like Michelle Pineault, it brought a sense of relief and closure. 'I have lived without my daughter for 28 years, knowing that this animal murdered her and there has been no justice for her in any way. So I'm delighted. I’m happy,' she said at a memorial in Vancouver.
- During the investigation, police faced significant criticism for their lack of timely action and the initial disbelief in the testimonies of survivors. One woman, who managed to escape the pig farm in 1997, reported being handcuffed and stabbed by Pickton, but her claims were initially dismissed due to her drug addiction.
- In 2016, Pickton controversially published a book where he insisted on his innocence, blaming the police for framing him. The book was quickly removed from Amazon following public outcry and apologies from the publisher, reflecting the enduring sensitivity of the case.
- The meticulous investigation on Pickton's farm, which cost around 70 million Canadian dollars, involved the demolition of nearly all structures on the property to search for evidence. The trial, heavily reported and involving 241 witnesses, resulted in Pickton being found guilty of six counts of second-degree murder and receiving a life sentence without parole for 25 years, the maximum penalty under Canadian law.
