Robert Pickton, a notorious Canadian serial killer known for luring victims to his pig farm, has died at the age of 74 after being assaulted in a Quebec prison.
The Correctional Service of Canada confirmed that Pickton, an inmate at Port-Cartier Institution, succumbed to injuries sustained during a May 19 assault by another inmate. Pickton was infamous for the gruesome murders of women in the late 1990s and early 2000s near Vancouver, with remains or DNA of 33 women discovered on his farm. He was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder in 2007 and was serving a life sentence.
A 51-year-old inmate has been detained in connection with the assault, according to police spokesman Hugues Beaulieu. The Correctional Service of Canada is investigating the incident to determine if protocols were followed.
Pickton’s case drew international attention and led to significant criticism of Vancouver police for their handling of the disappearances of vulnerable women. The investigation into Pickton’s crimes began over two decades ago, revealing that he had once boasted about killing 49 women. During his trial, testimonies revealed that he fed his victims’ remains to pigs on his farm.
Family members of Pickton’s victims have expressed mixed feelings about his death. Cynthia Cardinal, whose sister Georgina Papin was among the victims, said, “This is gonna bring healing for, I won’t say all families, I’ll just say most of the families.”
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc acknowledged the death, stating, “My thoughts are with the families of the victims of this individual’s heinous crimes.”