BC serial killer Robert Pickton dies after prison attack

British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton has died in hospital after being attacked by an inmate earlier this month, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) announced on May 31.

A statement said he suffered injuries in the May 19 attack, which also involved another inmate at the Port-Cartier prison in Quebec.

Pickton had been serving an indeterminate prison sentence for six counts of first-degree murder since December 11, 2007.

He was accused of murdering 26 women.

In a prison cell conversation, he told an undercover agent that he had killed 49 people. He planned to kill one more and then take a break before continuing. Pickton said he got caught because he got careless when he was last arrested in February 2002.

He was convicted in December 2007 of the murders of Marnie Frey, Mona Wilson, Georgina Papin, Andrea Joesbury, Sereena Abotsway and Brenda Ann Wolfe.

“We recognize that this perpetrator’s case has had a devastating impact on communities in British Columbia and across the country, including Indigenous peoples, victims and their families,” a CSC spokesperson said.

“Our thoughts are with them.”

Pickton was 74 years old when he died.

“The inmate’s next of kin have been notified,” CSC said. “We have also contacted registered victims according to their stated notification preferences.”

An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the attack. According to the CSC, the investigation will also identify recommendations or remedial actions.

Quebec provincial police spokesman Frédéric Deshaies said Pickton died “in the last few hours” and the 51-year-old suspect is in custody.

For more information on the Pickton case, read this detailed story.