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Biography[]

Early life[]

This section requires expansion.
Please expand this section with relevant information. If the reason for the change is unclear, please discuss on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (July 18, 2024)

Robert William Pickton was born on October 24, 1949, in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. Raised on a pig farm, Pickton came from a working-class background. The Pickton family operated the farm, and Robert was one of three siblings.

Criminal Background[]

In the 1990s, Pickton became notorious for his involvement in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, a neighborhood known for its struggles with poverty, drug addiction, and homelessness. He was involved in the sex trade industry and owned a property in Port Coquitlam.

The Pig Farm[]

Pickton's pig farm, located in Port Coquitlam, became the site of his gruesome crimes. It was later revealed that he lured numerous women, many of whom were sex workers and marginalized individuals, to his farm.

Crime Spree[]

Between the late 1990s and early 2000s, Pickton murdered multiple women, disposing of their remains on his property. The exact number of his victims remains uncertain, but it is believed to be at least 26 women.

Investigation and Arrest[]

The disappearance of women from the Downtown Eastside led to a lengthy investigation by law enforcement. On February 22, 2002, Pickton was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder. The investigation involved a massive search of his property.

Trial and Conviction[]

The trial of Robert Pickton began in 2007, and he faced multiple charges of first-degree murder. In 2007, he was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder, with the charges related to the deaths of Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Wolfe, Georgina Papin, and Marnie Frey.

Life Imprisonment[]

Pickton received a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years. Due to his heinous crimes and the scale of his actions, Pickton is considered one of Canada's most infamous serial killers.

Death[]

On May 19, 2024, Pickton was attacked by fellow inmate Martin Charest at the Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec. Charest, known for his history of assaulting other prisoners, struck Pickton in the head with a broken broom handle. Pickton was airlifted to a hospital and placed on life support. On May 31, 2024, he died in a Quebec City hospital due to complications from the attack.

Legacy[]

The Pickton case raised questions about the safety and protection of marginalized communities. It also prompted discussions about the handling of missing persons cases and the need for improvements in law enforcement procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Victims[]

Confirmed victims[]

Murders for which Pickton has been found guilty.

Name Age Date of Disappearance Reported missing Count
Marnie Lee Frey[note 1] August 30, 1997 December 29, 1997 Count 16
Georgina Faith Papin 34 January 1999 March 2001 Count 11
Brenda Ann Wolfe[1] 32 February 1999 April 25, 2000 Count 7
Andrea Joesbury 22 June 5, 2001 June 8, 2001 Count 6
Sereena Abostway[2] 29 August 1, 2001 August 22, 2001 Count 1
Mona Lee Wilson[3] 26 November 30, 2001 November 30, 2001[note 2] Count 2

Suspected victims[]

Disappearances/murders which Pickton is currently on trial for or implicated in.

Name Age Date of Disappearance Reported missing Count
Mary Ann Clark[note 3] 25 August 1991
Diana Melnick[4] 20 December 1995 Count 21
Cara Louise Ellis[5][note 4] 25 January 1996 October 2002 Count 27
Tanya Holyk 23 October 1996 Count 13
Andrea Fay Borhaven[6][note 5] 25 March 1997 Count 26
Sherry Irving[7] 24 April 1997 Count 14
Helen Mae Hallmark[8][note 6] 32 August 1997 Count 9
Cynthia Feliks[9] 41-42 December 1997 Count 19
Kerry Koski 38 January 2, 1998 Count 25
Inga Monique Hall[10][note 7] 46 February 26, 1998 Count 15
Sarah Jean de Vries[11] 38 April 13, 1998 Count 18
Angela Rebecca Jardine[note 8] 27 November 20, 1998 Count 20
Jacqueline Michelle McDonell[12][note 9] 22 January 21, 1999 Count 3
Wendy Crawford 43 December 1999 Count 24
Jennifer Lynn Furminger December 21, 1999 Count 8
Tiffany Drew 28 December 31, 1999 Count 17
Dawn Teresa Crey[13][note 10][note 3] 42 November 1, 2000 December 2000
Debra Lynne Jones[14] 43 December 21, 2000 Count 23
Patricia Rose Johnson[15] 24 March 2001 Count 10
Yvonne Marie Boen[note 11][note 3] 33 March 16, 2001 March 21, 2001
Heather Chinnock 30 April 2001 Count 12
Heather Kathleen Bottomley[17] 27 April 17, 2001 Count 5
Dianne Rosemary Rock[18] 34 October 19, 2001 December 13, 2001 Count 4
Jane Doe Count 22
Jane Doe[note 3]
Jane Doe[note 3]

Timeline[]

Timeline Missing
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Date Age Event
October 24, 1949 0 Robert Pickton is born in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada.
February 22, 2002 52 Pickton is apprehended.
May 19, 2024 74 Pickton is attacked in prison with a "broken broom-like handle"[19] and nearly dies.
May 31, 2024 Pickton dies from complications of the attack.

Bibliography[]

Literature[]

  • Cameron, Stevie (2010). On the Farm: Robert William Pickton and the Tragic Story of Vancouver's Missing Women, Vintage Canada. ISBN 978-0676975857
  • Shenher, Lorimer (2015). That Lonely Section of Hell: The Botched Investigation of a Serial Killer Who Almost Got Away, Greystone Books. ISBN 978-1771640930

Articles[]

Documentaries[]

Television[]

YouTube Documentaries[]

Podcasts[]

In popular culture[]

Film adaptation[]

Related Articles[]

See also[]

Links[]

Notes[]

  1. Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case #98-209922.
  2. She went to her doctor on November 30, 2001, and was reported missing that night.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Pickton is implicated in the murder, but charges have not yet been laid.
  4. Also known as Nicky Trimble.
  5. Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case # 99.105703.
  6. Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case #98-226384.
  7. Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case # 98-047919.
  8. Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case # 98.286097.
  9. Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case # 99-039699.
  10. Crey is the main subject of a 2006 documentary film about murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada, entitled Finding Dawn
  11. Sometimes used the surname England[16]

References[]

  1. "Brenda Ann Wolfe-last seen Feb 1999". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
  2. Fournier, Suzanne; Fraser, Keith & Jiwa, Salim (February 26, 2002). "Daughter phoned daily for 13 years". The Province. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007.
  3. Fong, Petti; Kines, Lindsay (February 26, 2002). "Sister trapped by drugs, prostitution". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on June 8, 2007.
  4. "Diana Melnick". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on June 17, 2002.
  5. "Cara Louise Ellis last seen in 1997". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on October 11, 2004.
  6. "Andrea Fay Borhaven". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on April 10, 2002.
  7. "Alleged Pickton victim schooled in Comox Valley-Oct 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on December 8, 2002.
  8. "Helen Mae Hallmark". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on June 17, 2002.
  9. "Pictures provide the clues to a daughter's lost life". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on September 14, 2006.
  10. "Inga Monique Hall". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on April 10, 2002.
  11. "Missing woman's DNA located, Police say Sarah deVries identified-Aug 8, 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on December 8, 2002.
  12. Friscolanti, Michael (April 3, 2002). "'Bright young woman' among victims". National Post. Archived from the original on April 11, 2002.
  13. "Pickton farm yields 23rd woman's DNA-Jan 16, 2004". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on January 18, 2004.
  14. "Debra Lynne Jones-last seen Dec 21, 2000". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on October 20, 2001.
  15. "Patricia Rose Johnson". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on September 1, 2003.
  16. "Yvonne Marie Boen-Mar 28, 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on January 1, 2003.
  17. "Crown adds three more murder charges against pig farmer-Apr 2, 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on April 11, 2002.
  18. "Bringng home Diane's life-Apr 5, 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on June 12, 2002.
  19. Lucas Casaletto (May 21, 2024). B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton attacked in Quebec prison. CityNews Toronto.