Key Takeaways:
– Robert Pickton, a notorious serial killer, is critically ill following a prison assault involving a broken broom handle.
– He was reportedly attacked at Port-Cartier Institution, a maximum-security facility in Quebec, Canada.
– Pickton was convicted in 2007 for killing six women, but DNA traces of 34 more women were found on his pig farm.
– His parole eligibility sparked renewed controversy earlier this year.
Serial killer Robert Pickton, known for his heinous crimes, finds himself in a critical condition after a significant assault in prison on May 19. According to Canadian news sources, the attack involved a weapon resembling a broken broom handle.
Assault Inside Maximum-Security Institution
Correctional Service Canada issued a statement on May 20 confirming a prison assault at Port-Cartier Institution, an esteemed maximum-security federal facility. The announcement, however, refrained from mentioning Pickton by name.
The Vancouver Sun pointed out Pickton as the victim, noting the assailant had allegedly targeted other inmates before being transferred to the infamous killer’s unit. The attack took place in a high-security prison in Quebec, Canada, where Pickton was serving a life term for multiple murders.
Renowned Killer’s Murderous Legacy
Pickton’s conviction in 2007 revolved around six missing Vancouver women, but his crimes reportedly exceeded those numbers. The remains or DNA of 34 women, many of whom were indigenous, were discovered on his pig farm near Vancouver, according to CBC. Claiming to have killed 49 women, Pickton’s case soon became the most significant serial killer investigation in Canada’s history.
Following the assault, Pickton required urgent medical attention. A source told The Vancouver Sun that he was “speared in the head with a broken-broom-like handle” and was swiftly airlifted to a hospital. His current condition leaves him “between life and death.”
Ongoing Investigation and Concerns
The Quebec police department, Sûreté du Québec, has already initiated an investigation into the serious assault. The Correctional Service Canada confirmed the assailant’s identification and that appropriate measures are being taken. However, the official statement didn’t disclose the names of Pickton or the suspect.
Pickton’s Eligibility for Parole Causes Stir
The news of Pickton’s attack comes in the wake of recent allegations regarding his parole eligibility. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party of Canada’s leader, expressed his disapproval in February 2024, reminding the public of Pickton’s gruesome past.
“Today, one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers, Robert Pickton, has become eligible for parole. Monsters like this should never be released from prison,” he wrote. Reports indicate that Pickton would be eligible for day parole in 2027, leading to renewed controversy surrounding his case.
Pickton Joins List of Notorious Prison Inmates Attacked
In the history of prison assaults, Pickton joins several infamous convicts who have suffered attacks. Such inmates include US-based convicts like Milwaukee serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who lost his life in a prison assault, and mobster Whitey Bulger who was killed in a federal prison attack. Even Derek Chauvin, former Minnesota police officer convicted for the death of George Floyd, survived a prison attack.
As investigations continue into the attack on Pickton, warnings are provisioned on the prison institution’s safety and the public’s security. Only time will determine how the infamous killer’s story unfolds.