Serial killer Robert Pickton has died after being attacked in prison earlier this month, the Sûreté du Québec and the Correctional Service of Canada announced.
The correctional service indicates in a press release that Mr. Pickton, an inmate of the Port-Cartier establishment, in the Côte-Nord region, died Friday at the age of 74.
He adds that Mr. Pickton’s next of kin were informed as well as the victims who had registered to be informed.
He also recalls that an investigation is underway concerning the attack of May 19 involving another inmate.
“The purpose of the investigation will be to examine all the facts and circumstances surrounding the assault with the aim of determining, among other things, whether policies and protocols were respected. It will also aim to make recommendations and suggest corrective measures, if necessary,” he said in a press release.
The spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec, Frédéric Deshaies, said that Mr. Pickton had died “in the last few hours”.
He says police continue to investigate the assault which led to Mr Pickton’s death and the 51-year-old suspect is in custody.
“We recognize that this offender’s case has had a devastating impact in British Columbia and across the country, including on Indigenous people, victims and their families. Our thoughts are with them,” said the Correctional Service of Canada.
Mr. 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, but he once bragged to a undercover agent that he had killed 49 of them.
When handing down the sentence, Supreme Court Justice James Williams said it was a “rare case which justifies the maximum period (25 years) of parole ineligibility available to the court.” .
Mr. Pickton was convicted of the murders of Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Ann Wolfe, Georgina Papin and Marnie Frey.
But the remains or DNA of 33 women were found on Mr Pickton’s pig farm in Port Coquitlam.
The families of the victims rejoice
For M’s sisterme Papin, Cynthia Cardinal, Mr. Pickton’s death means she can finally move on.
“His death will allow most families to heal from their wounds. I am very happy at the moment. I can finally heal and put this all behind me. »
Michelle Pineault, whose daughter Stephanie Lane was among Mr Pickton’s other victims, said she was “delighted” at his death.
“I have lived without my daughter for 28 years now, knowing that this animal murdered her and that there was no justice possible for her. So I’m delighted. »
Since losing her daughter, “my life has not been about my daughter, but about Pickton,” she added.
British Columbia Premier David Eby noted Friday that it was a difficult day for everyone affected by the “horrific crimes” committed by Mr. Pickton.
“I’m sure that puts an end to this matter.” For others, it reopens old wounds,” he said at a press conference. He concluded his speech by saying “good riddance”.
Police began searching Mr Pickton’s farm more than 22 years ago as part of an investigation that would last years.
Vancouver police were criticized for not taking the case seriously because many of the missing people were sex workers or drug addicts.
Mr. Pickton became eligible for day parole in February, sparking outrage from human rights advocates, politicians and victims’ relatives, who have criticized Canada’s justice system, saying it does not should never be released.
