Serial killer Robert Pickton, attacked on May 19 at the Port-Cartier penitentiary, on the North Shore, succumbed to his injuries.
Posted at 4:10 p.m.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) confirmed Friday that a “74-year-old man” involved in an attempted murder on May 19 had died.
“The detainee’s relatives have been informed. We also communicated with registered victims, in accordance with their notification preferences,” indicates Correctional Service Canada, in a press release published late in the afternoon.
The agency goes on to explain that police and the coroner were notified of the inmate’s death, as required by its policy.
The latest news was that Robert Pickton had been transferred to a hospital in Quebec where he had slipped into an artificial coma following the attack he had suffered. Doctors planned to try to wake him up later.
Robert Pickton was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2007; he had been accused of murdering 26 women in British Columbia.
Correctional Service Canada indicates that the man suspected of being the perpetrator of the attack was identified and the SQ later clarified that the 51-year-old suspect was in custody.
The latter, Martin Charest, whose identity was revealed by TVA Nouvelles, has a serious criminal history, in particular for having attacked fellow prisoners on numerous occasions.
The SQ’s Crimes Against Persons Division is now responsible for the criminal investigation which continues, said Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Frédéric Deshaies on Friday.
Correctional Service Canada indicates for its part that an administrative investigation will also be opened in order to “examine all the facts and circumstances surrounding the assault in order to determine, among other things, whether the policies and protocols were respected.” “It will also aim to make recommendations and suggest corrective measures, if necessary,” continues the agency.
“We recognize that this offender’s case has had a terrible impact on communities in British Columbia and across the country, including Indigenous people, victims and their families. Our thoughts are with them,” concludes Correctional Service Canada.
