PORT-CARTIER, QC – Robert Pickton, one of Canada’s most infamous serial killers, died Friday following an assault in prison, authorities confirmed. Pickton, 74, was attacked by another inmate on May 19 and succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The Correctional Service of Canada announced that Pickton, who was incarcerated at Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec, was involved in an altercation that led to his death. A 51-year-old inmate is currently in custody in connection with the assault, according to police.
Pickton gained notoriety for his gruesome crimes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, where he lured female victims to his pig farm near Vancouver. Convicted in 2007 of six counts of second-degree murder, he was serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years. Authorities discovered the remains or DNA of 33 women on his farm, though Pickton once claimed to have killed 49 women.
The investigation into Pickton’s farm began over two decades ago, focusing on the disappearances of women from Vancouver’s marginalized communities, including sex workers and drug addicts. The case drew widespread criticism of the Vancouver police for their handling of the missing persons reports, as many of the victims were from vulnerable populations.
During his trial, testimony revealed that Pickton strangled his victims and disposed of their remains by feeding them to his pigs. This led to health officials issuing a tainted meat advisory to neighbors who might have purchased pork from Pickton’s farm, fearing it could contain human remains.
Cynthia Cardinal, whose sister Georgina Papin was among Pickton’s victims, expressed relief at the news of his death. “This is going to bring healing for many families,” she said. “I can finally move on and put this behind me.”
The Correctional Service of Canada is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault on Pickton. “We are examining all facts and protocols to ensure policies were followed,” the service stated. “Our thoughts are with the communities and families affected by this case.”
Pickton’s confirmed victims include Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Ann Wolfe, Georgina Papin, and Marnie Frey. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc acknowledged the impact of Pickton’s death on the victims’ families, stating, “My thoughts are with the families of the victims of this individual’s heinous crimes.”