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Biography[]
Early life[]
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[]
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[]
- Edward Butts (October 8, 2020). "Robert Pickton Case". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- Austin Harvey (April 30, 2023). The Grisly Case Of Robert Pickton, The Canadian Serial Killer Who Fed His Victims’ Remains To His Pigs. All That's Interesting.
Documentaries[]
Television[]
- The Pig Farm on IMDb
- World's Most Evil Killers: Robert Pickton (October 2021) on IMDb
YouTube Documentaries[]
- Confessions of a Serial Killer (S1E09), Beyond Crime on YouTube
Podcasts[]
- Robert Pickton - Part 1. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
- Robert Pickton - Part 2. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
- Shawn Knox (June 6, 2024). Serial killer Robert Pickton is dead after prison assault. 10/3 podcast.
In popular culture[]
Film adaptation[]
- Killer Pickton (2006) on IMDb
Related Articles[]
See also[]
Links[]
- Robert Pickton at Wikipedia
- Robert Pickton on IMDb
- Pickton Farm Murders at Find a Grave
- Victims of Robert Pickton at Find a Grave
- Robert “Willie” Pickton. Radford University.
- Myall, Steve (August 8, 2023). Serial killer ground prostitutes into mince and sold them to cops hunting him. The Mirror.
Notes[]
- ↑ Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case #98-209922.
- ↑ She went to her doctor on November 30, 2001, and was reported missing that night.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Pickton is implicated in the murder, but charges have not yet been laid.
- ↑ Also known as Nicky Trimble.
- ↑ Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case # 99.105703.
- ↑ Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case #98-226384.
- ↑ Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case # 98-047919.
- ↑ Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case # 98.286097.
- ↑ Vancouver Police Missing Persons Case # 99-039699.
- ↑ Crey is the main subject of a 2006 documentary film about murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada, entitled Finding Dawn
- ↑ Sometimes used the surname England[16]
References[]
- ↑ "Brenda Ann Wolfe-last seen Feb 1999". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Fong, Petti; Kines, Lindsay (February 26, 2002). "Sister trapped by drugs, prostitution". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on June 8, 2007.
- ↑ "Diana Melnick". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on June 17, 2002.
- ↑ "Cara Louise Ellis last seen in 1997". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on October 11, 2004.
- ↑ "Andrea Fay Borhaven". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on April 10, 2002.
- ↑ "Alleged Pickton victim schooled in Comox Valley-Oct 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on December 8, 2002.
- ↑ "Helen Mae Hallmark". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on June 17, 2002.
- ↑ "Pictures provide the clues to a daughter's lost life". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on September 14, 2006.
- ↑ "Inga Monique Hall". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on April 10, 2002.
- ↑ "Missing woman's DNA located, Police say Sarah deVries identified-Aug 8, 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on December 8, 2002.
- ↑ Friscolanti, Michael (April 3, 2002). "'Bright young woman' among victims". National Post. Archived from the original on April 11, 2002.
- ↑ "Pickton farm yields 23rd woman's DNA-Jan 16, 2004". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on January 18, 2004.
- ↑ "Debra Lynne Jones-last seen Dec 21, 2000". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on October 20, 2001.
- ↑ "Patricia Rose Johnson". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on September 1, 2003.
- ↑ "Yvonne Marie Boen-Mar 28, 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on January 1, 2003.
- ↑ "Crown adds three more murder charges against pig farmer-Apr 2, 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on April 11, 2002.
- ↑ "Bringng home Diane's life-Apr 5, 2002". Missingpeople.net. Archived from the original on June 12, 2002.
- ↑ Lucas Casaletto (May 21, 2024). B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton attacked in Quebec prison. CityNews Toronto.