Pickton’s crimes date back to the 1990s and early 2000s when he brought female victims to his pig farm near Vancouver. He was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder in 2007 and sentenced to life in prison with a 25-year parole ineligibility period. The remains or DNA of 33 women, many from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, were found on his farm, leading to a lengthy investigation. Pickton once bragged to an undercover police officer that he had killed a total of 49 women.
Following the news of Pickton’s assault and hospitalization, family members of his victims expressed happiness and relief. Cynthia Cardinal, whose sister was murdered by Pickton, said she was overwhelmed with happiness upon hearing about the attack. She called it “karma” and expressed her belief that such an evil individual should not be allowed to walk the earth. The text informing her of the attack came from a cousin of another missing woman whose DNA was found at Pickton’s farm.
Federal Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that he was informed of the attack on Pickton and expressed concern for the families of his victims. LeBlanc described Pickton as one of the most dangerous criminals in the country. However, due to privacy laws, he could not provide further details about the incident or Pickton’s condition. Vancouver police faced criticism for not taking the cases of missing women seriously, particularly as many of them were sex workers or drug users.
The Correctional Service Canada confirmed Pickton’s identity as the inmate who was seriously assaulted at the Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec. None of the correctional service staff were involved in the attack, which led to Pickton sustaining life-threatening injuries. Pickton’s confirmed victims included six women, and at the time of his sentencing, the presiding judge noted that it was a rare case that warranted the maximum period of parole ineligibility available to the court.
The assault on Pickton has sparked mixed reactions, with some expressing happiness that justice has been served while others are concerned about the violent nature of the attack. The incident raises questions about the safety and security of inmates in Canadian prisons, particularly high-profile individuals like Pickton. The assault also serves as a reminder of the heinous crimes committed by Pickton and the impact they had on the victims’ families and communities.
Overall, Pickton’s assault and hospitalization have reignited public interest in his case and the larger issue of violence within the Canadian prison system. The incident has prompted reflection on the crimes committed by Pickton, the challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating them, and the lasting impact on the families of his victims. As Pickton remains in life-threatening condition, the focus now shifts to his recovery and the ongoing pursuit of justice for the women who lost their lives at his hands.
