TORONTO (AP) — Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton, who took female victims to his pig farm during a crime spree near Vancouver in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has died after being assaulted in prison, authorities said Friday. He was 74.
The Correctional Service of Canada said in statement that Pickton, an inmate of Port-Cartier Institution in the province of Quebec, died in hospital following injuries in the May 19 assault involving another inmate. He was one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers and his case made international headlines.
A 51-year-old inmate was in custody for the assault on Pickton, police spokesman Hugues Beaulieu said earlier this month.
Robert “Willie” Pickton was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2007, with the maximum parole ineligibility period of 25 years, after being charged with the murders of 26 women.
Police began searching the Pickton farm in the Vancouver suburb of Port Coquitlam more than 22 years ago in what would be a years-long investigation into the disappearances of dozens of women from Vancouver’s seediest streets, sex workers and users of drugs abandoned on the margins of society.
The remains or DNA of 33 women were found on the farm. Pickton once bragged to an undercover police officer that he killed a total of 49 women.
During his trial, prosecution witness Andrew Bellwood said Pickton told him how he strangled his victims and fed their remains to his pigs. Health officials once issued a tainted meat advisory to neighbors who might have bought pork from Pickton’s farm, concerned the meat might have contained human remains.
Cynthia Cardinal, whose sister Georgina Papin was murdered by Pickton, said Pickton’s death means she can finally move on from her sister’s murder.
“This is gonna bring healing for, I won’t say all families, I’ll just say most of the families,” she said. “I’m like — wow, finally. I can actually move on and heal and I can put this behind me.”
Vancouver police were criticized for not taking the cases seriously because many of the missing were sex workers or users of drugs.
Canada's correctional service said it was conducting an investigation into the attack on Pickton.
“The investigation will examine all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the assault, including whether policies and protocols were followed,” the service said in the statement. “We are mindful that this offender’s case has had a devastating impact on communities in British Columbia and across the country, including Indigenous peoples, victims and their families. Our thoughts are with them."
Pickton’s confirmed victims were six: Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Ann Wolfe, Papin and Marnie Frey.
“Earlier today, I was made aware of the death of an inmate at Port-Cartier Institution," Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said in statement. "At this time, my thoughts are with the families of the victims of this individual’s heinous crimes.”
At the time of Pickton’s sentencing, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice James Williams said it was a “rare case that properly warrants the maximum period of parole ineligibility available to the court.”
This artist's sketch shows accused serial killer Robert Pickton taking notes during the second day of his trial in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, British Columbia, Jan. 31, 2006. Convicted Canadian serial killer Pickton has been hospitalized and is in a life-threatening condition after an assault at a Quebec prison, authorities said Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Jane Wolsack/The Canadian Press via AP)
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The leader of Hungary's largest opposition party on Sunday told thousands of supporters that he would guide his country out of its international isolation if he defeats Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in elections scheduled for next year.
Péter Magyar, the leader of the Respect and Freedom (Tisza) party, represents the most serious challenge to Orbán's power since the right-wing populist leader took power in 2010. Recent polling suggests that Tisza has overtaken Orbán's Fidesz party as Hungary struggles with a stagnating economy and has been politically sidelined in the European Union over Orbán's policies.
Speaking at a rally in Budapest on Sunday, Magyar said that, if elected, he and his party would restore Hungary's relationships and reputation among its allies that have suffered as Orbán has attacked the European Union and pursued close relationships with autocracies like Russia and China.
“We will finally put our common affairs in order,” Magyar said. "Our homeland, Hungary, will once again be a proud and reliable ally of NATO. Hungary will once again be a full-fledged member of the European Union.”
Orbán, a self-described “illiberal” leader, has been accused by critics of having led Hungary out of the community of European democracies by eroding democratic institutions, violating judicial independence and taking over much of Hungary's media.
Since taking power in 2010, he and his Fidesz party have led the country with a two-thirds majority in parliament, and easily defeated any opposition.
But recent polls suggest that Tisza has pulled ahead of Fidesz in popularity as Magyar's campaign focuses on economic and social issues facing the country like persistent inflation, a poor healthcare system and alleged government corruption.
On Sunday, Magyar said Orbán's system “cannot be reformed, cannot be fixed, cannot be improved. This system can only be replaced, and that is what we will do — lawfully, democratically, but with determination, we will cut down the regime.”
Nóra Farkas, a supporter of Magyar at the rally, said she had hoped for Orbán's defeat in Hungary's last national elections in 2022, but that with around a year to go before the next ballot, she is more confident that change is possible.
“Anyone who thinks things are going well in this country is blind. Orbán and his circle are the main reason for the problems," she said.
Béla Szandelszky in Budapest, Hungary contributed.
Supporters attend a rally for the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party before the results of the party's public survey entitled 'Voice of the Nation' is announced in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP)
Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party Peter Magyar wave a Hungarian flag before the results of the party's public survey entitled 'Voice of the Nation' is announced in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP)
Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party Peter Magyar speaks to supporters before the results of the party's public survey entitled 'Voice of the Nation' is announced in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP)
Supporters attend a rally for the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party before the results of the party's public survey entitled 'Voice of the Nation' is announced in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP)
Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party Peter Magyar speaks to supporters before the results of the party's public survey entitled 'Voice of the Nation' is announced in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP)
Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party Peter Magyar speaks to supporters before the results of the party's public survey entitled 'Voice of the Nation' is announced in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP)
