BC serial killer Robert Pickton dead after prison attack

Convicted serial killer Robert Pickton from British Columbia has died in hospital.

After being attacked by another inmate at Quebec's maximum security Port-Cartier prison on May 19, CityNews confirmed that Pickton succumbed to his injuries. He was 74 years old.

Pickton was convicted of murdering six women in 2007. He received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the next 25 years, the maximum sentence for second-degree murder in Canada.

The remains or DNA of 33 women, many of whom were from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, were found on Pickton's farm. He once boasted to an undercover police officer that he had 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) said Pickton's family and any victims who wished to be informed had been notified of his death.

“We recognize that the case of this perpetrator 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.

News of the attack came on May 21, when the Sûreté du Québec, the province's police force, said Pickton had been attacked by a 51-year-old inmate and flown by helicopter to a hospital in Quebec City, where he remained until his death.

The news of Pickton's death ends a violent chapter for the families of some of the victims

Speaking to CityNews Friday afternoon, Lorelei Williams, a cousin of one of Pickton's victims, said she felt “overwhelmed with happiness.”

“I am very, very happy,” she explained.

Williams' cousin Tanya Holyk disappeared in 1996 and was later named as one of Pickton's victims. She was just 20 years old.

While Williams believes the chapter of violence is now closed, he fears that the evidence that brought Pickton to court will now be destroyed.

“I want to fight to ensure that this evidence is not 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.

“I've just been in a state of torture for the last week because I didn't want him to die on her birthday,” she told CityNews. “I was horrified by it, but I'm OK with it now. I feel 1,000 pounds lighter. I feel like I could literally fly. This has been a burden on us for so many years.”

Pineault explained that Stephanie, whose DNA was found on Pickton's farm, disappeared in 1997. Stephanie's younger brother was just 10 years old at the time and her little boy was still 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 huge, huge part of our lives. And I just hope that maybe we can get past it a little bit.”

Victim Sarah Devries Sr.'s daughter was only seven years old when her mother was murdered. Sarah Devries Jr. says her mother was missing for about five years before the family learned of her death.

“I feel like she has finally found peace. When I got the news this morning with my aunt, I cried because I just felt like something was coming to an end and that her soul could finally find peace,” she said.

For the other families of Pickton's victims, news of his critical condition earlier this month sparked mixed emotions, including relief.

Tammy Lynn Papin said she “jumped for joy” when she heard the news of the murder of her older sister Georgina.

Georgina's remains were found on the Pickton farm and her murder is one of only six for which Pickton was convicted of premeditated murder.

“We're happy. Like, we're really happy,” Tammy Lynn told CityNews on May 21 on behalf of the Papin family. “It's justice for us and for all the other families.”

Tammy Lynn said she thinks of her sister regularly, through prayers, a treasured photo of Georgina, conversations with her and offerings of food and tobacco.

The DNA of the sister of Ernie Crey, chief of the Cheam First Nation, 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 all. For me, it's over. We still can't forget them. But for him, it's over now.”

Crey took time to reflect on the history and ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.

Aside from his feelings for Pickton, Crey said the public cannot forget victims like his sister across the country. “The other women are missing now.”

In a statement, British Columbia Premier David Eby minced words in acknowledging Pickton's death.

“Have a nice trip,” he said.

Eby said his first thoughts upon hearing the news of his death were with the victims and their friends and families.

“For some, the death of this notorious serial killer may bring closure, but for others it will reopen old wounds. It is a difficult day for anyone who has lost a loved one because of his cruelty and heinous crimes,” he said.

“Robert Pickton exploited the weakest people in our society. These women were dismissed as less equal and less valuable because of who they were.

“We are committed to recognizing the dignity of every human being to prevent something like this from ever happening again.”

–With files from News Staff

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Pickton was attacked on May 21. The attack occurred on May 19.Confirmation of the attack was given on May 21.