Investigation of Robert Pickton’s death: Are some people of lesser value?

Law360 Canada (July 7, 2025, 12:12 PM EDT) --

John L. Hill

In the early 1990s, Canadians were rightfully shocked by the disappearance of about 20 female sex workers from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. By 1991, relatives and social activists were speculating that a serial killer was at work. Police initially dismissed this idea, suggesting that the women’s transient lifestyle meant they could be anywhere. The number of missing women grew without any clear explanation. Most of them were involved in prostitution.

This situation led Simon Fraser University criminologist John Lowman in 2002 to be quoted in the press as saying, “The point has often been made that if 50 women of any other profession were missing, the reaction would have been entirely different.” Critics believed the investigation was being delayed because of who the women were. No one would openly say that violence and death are an occupational hazard for prostitutes, Lowman said, but the initial police resource allocation raised questions.

Public pressure increased. In February 2002, police obtained a warrant to search Robert Pickton’s pig farm. Although the warrant was for illegal firearms, police uncovered remains or DNA evidence of at least 33 women. Pickton was initially charged with two murders, but that number later rose to 26.

Pickton was ultimately convicted of only six counts of second-degree murder in 2007 and received a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years, the maximum for a second-degree murder in Canada. The British Columbia government formed a commission to investigate why police had been slow to respond to such horrible tragedies. Key evidence was never made public. The commission did not assign blame to the police.

History often repeats itself in unexpected ways. On May 31, 2024, 74-year-old Robert Pickton died in a hospital after being placed in a medically induced coma, following an incident where he was speared in the face by another inmate at Quebec’s Port-Cartier Institution.

More than one year after serial killer Robert Pickton died, there have been no charges against the alleged attacker and few answers about what happened. After all, the man known as the Pig Farmer Killer or the Butcher was widely regarded as one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers. Perhaps, like Pickton’s victims, it was an occupational hazard that a man of such notoriety should never expect the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) or the police to dedicate limited resources to investigating and prosecuting his attacker. Is it true that, in the eyes of the law, some people are of lesser value and undeserving of its protection?

On July 4, 2025, the CSC issued a press release outlining the findings of a Board of Investigation (BOI) that was established on July 5, 2024, as required by law. The BOI consisted of three members, including two CSC staff, an experienced community member and an Independent Observer (IO), who was a former public servant with over 30 years of experience in national security and security intelligence.

The BOI was tasked with examining all the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident, including whether policies and protocols were followed, and identifying any necessary recommendations or corrective measures. The IO was also appointed to observe the investigation and ensure its integrity. 

The BOI identified issues in security practices, including inmates having unrestricted access to cleaning tools, poor inventory management and malfunctioning locking cabinets. Staff casework involving both inmates also did not follow policy. Additionally, CSC notified the wrong person as Pickton’s next of kin due to outdated and unverified contact details.

In response, the BOI recommended tighter control over items that could be weaponized, better tools for correctional officers to assess inmate progress, and a review of how next-of-kin information is collected and shared.

The facts, as the BOI found, were straightforward. On Sunday, May 19, 2024, at approximately 1716 hours, during medication distribution in the unit, Pickton was assaulted by another inmate. When the assault began, the correctional officer (CO) at the control post called for backup from other COs, who quickly responded and were able to persuade the aggressor to cease the assault.

At approximately 1718 hours, the aggressor then grabbed a broomstick, broke the handle and thrust it into Pickton’s face. Correctional officers again intervened, managed to gain his compliance and handcuffed the aggressor, then escorted him to the Structured Intervention Unit. Pickton was transported by air ambulance to a Quebec City hospital at 1757 hours and admitted to intensive care, but he died on May 31.

The two-minute period of the attack is crucial. Why wasn’t the assailant restrained and separated when he first attacked Pickton? Why hasn’t the man responsible been charged with murder after a year? Perhaps, like sex workers, justice depends on the victim’s societal reputation.

John L. Hill practised and taught prison law until his retirement. He holds a J.D. from Queen’s and an LL.M. in constitutional law from Osgoode Hall. He is also the author of Pine Box Parole: Terry Fitzsimmons and the Quest to End Solitary Confinement (Durvile & UpRoute Books) and The Rest of the (True Crime) Story (AOS Publishing). Contact him at johnlornehill@hotmail.com.

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