Notorious serial killer Robert Pickton dies following prison attack
Posted May 31, 2024 3:50 pm.
Last Updated May 31, 2024 7:10 pm.
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton has died in hospital.
Following an attack on May 19 by another inmate in Québec’s maximum security Port-Cartier Institution, CityNews has confirmed that Pickton has died from his injuries. He was 74 years old.
Pickton was convicted in 2007 of the murders of six women. He was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years, the maximum sentence for second-degree murder in Canada.
The remains or DNA of 33 women, many of whom were taken from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, were found on Pickton’s farm, and he once bragged to an undercover police officer that he killed a total of 49 women.
Pickton’s confirmed victims were Georgina Papin, Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Ann Wolfe, and Marnie Frey.
In a statement later Friday, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) says Pickton’s family has been notified of his death, along with victims who wanted to be informed.
“We are mindful that this offender’s case has had a devastating impact on communities in British Columbia and across the country, including Indigenous peoples, victims and their families. Our thoughts are with them,” the CSC said.
The news of the attack came on May 21, when the Sûreté du Québec, the province’s police service, said Pickton was assaulted by a 51-year-old inmate and airlifted to a Québec City hospital, where he remained until his death.
News of Pickton’s death closes violent chapter for some victims’ families
Speaking to CityNews Friday afternoon, Lorelai Williams, a cousin of one Pickton’s victims, shared that she was feeling “overwhelmed with happiness.”
“I feel very, very happy,” she explained.
While she feels like the violent chapter is now closed, she’s concerned that the evidence that brought Pickton to justice will now be disposed of.
“I want to fight for that evidence not to be thrown away. … I don’t want the evidence to be destroyed,” she added.
Michele Pineault said her daughter Stephanie would have turned 40 on Tuesday.
“For the last week, I was just in a state of torture, because I didn’t want him to die on her birthday,” she told CityNews. “I was horrified by it, and now I’m good with it. I feel 1,000 pounds lighter. I feel like I literally could fly. This has been hanging over us for so many years.”
Pineault explained Stephanie, whose DNA was found on Pickton’s farm, went missing in 1997. Stephanie’s younger brother was just 10 years old at the time, and her baby boy just an infant.
“This has been hanging over us for so many years. I have a grandson, her son who was just a baby,” she explained. “This is a big, huge part of our lives. And I’m just hoping that maybe we can move on a bit.”
Victim Sarah Devris Snr.’s daughter was just seven years old when her mother was murdered. Sarah Devris Jnr. shares that her mom was missing for about five years before the family found out about her death.
“I feel like she’s finally at peace. When I got the news with my aunt this morning, I cried, because I just felt like it was the ending and closing of something and that her spirit could finally rest,” she said.
For other families of Pickton’s victims, the news of his critical condition earlier this month brought complicated feelings, including relief.
Tammy Lynn Papin said she “jumped up and down” when she heard the news about her older sister Georgina’s killer.
Georgina’s remains were found on the Pickton farm and her murder is one of only six for which Pickton was convicted of second-degree murder.
“We’re happy. Like, we’re really happy,” Tammy Lynn told CityNews on May 21, speaking on behalf of the Papin family. “It’s justice for us, and for all the other families.”
Tammy Lynn said she remembers her sister regularly, through prayer, a treasured photo of Georgina, talking to her, and making offerings of food and tobacco.
Cheam First Nation Chief Coun. Ernie Crey’s sister’s DNA was found on the Pickton farm after Dawn disappeared in 2000.
Crey told CityNews at the time of Pickton’s attack, “It’s over now. That’s it. For me, it’s over. We can’t forget them though. But it’s over now, for him.”
Crey took the time to reflect on the history and ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people.
His feelings about Pickton aside, Crey said the public cannot forget about victims like his sister all over the country. “The other women, they’re missing now.”
In a statement, B.C. Premier David Eby minced no words when acknowledging Pickton’s death.
“Good riddance,” he said.
Eby explained that his first thoughts after hearing of his death were with the victims, and their friends and families.
“For some, the death of this notorious serial killer may bring closure and for others it will reopen old wounds. It is a difficult day for anyone who lost someone they loved because of his cruelty and heinous crimes,” he shared.
“Robert Pickton preyed on the most vulnerable people in our society. These women were cast aside as less than equal, and less than worthy because of who they were.
“We are committed to recognizing the dignity of every person to avoid something like this happening ever again.”
–With files from News Staff
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Pickton was attacked on May 21. The attack happened on May 19, with confirmation of the attack coming on May 21.
