Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton, notorious for luring female victims to his pig farm during a crime spree near Vancouver in the late 1990s and early 2000s, died after being assaulted in prison, authorities announced on Friday. He was 74.The Correctional Service of Canada reported that Pickton, an inmate at Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec, succumbed to injuries sustained in a May 19 assault by another inmate. Despite being transported to a hospital, Pickton did not survive the attack. A 51-year-old inmate has been taken into custody for the assault, according to police spokesman Hugues Beaulieu.A Notorious CriminalRobert “Willie” Pickton was convicted in 2007 of six counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with a 25-year period of parole ineligibility. His case, involving the murders of 26 women, drew international attention and remains one of Canadas most infamous criminal cases. The Farm of HorrorsThe investigation into Picktons crimes began over 22 years ago when police searched his farm in Port Coquitlam, a suburb of Vancouver. The farm was a focal point in the disappearances of numerous women from Vancouvers impoverished neighbourhoods, including sex workers and drug users. The remains or DNA of 33 women were discovered on the property. During his trial, Pickton boasted to an undercover officer that he had killed 49 women. A prosecution witness testified that Pickton had described strangling his victims and feeding their remains to his pigs.Community Impact and InvestigationPicktons death has elicited varied reactions. Cynthia Cardinal, whose sister Georgina Papin, was one of Picktons victims, expressed relief. “This is going to bring healing I wont say all families, Ill just say most of the families,” she said. “Im like, wow, finally. I can actually move on and heal, and I can put this behind me.”Vancouver police faced significant criticism for their initial handling of the disappearances, often dismissing the cases because many victims were sex workers or drug users. The Correctional Service of Canada has launched an investigation into the circumstances of Picktons death to ensure all policies and protocols were followed.Official ResponsesPublic Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc acknowledged the death, stating, “Earlier today, I was made aware of the death of an inmate at Port-Cartier Institution. At this time, my thoughts are with the families of the victims of this individuals heinous crimes.”British Columbia Supreme Court Justice James Williams, during Picktons sentencing, emphasised the severity of his crimes, stating that it was a “rare case that properly warrants the maximum period of parole ineligibility available to the court.”The Correctional Service of Canada reaffirmed its commitment to a thorough investigation, noting the profound impact Picktons case has had on communities, particularly Indigenous peoples and the families of his victims.
