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Robert Pickton

Robert William Pickton was a Canadian pig farmer and convicted serial killer from British Columbia.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Robert William Pickton was a Canadian pig farmer and convicted serial killer from British Columbia. He was convicted in 2007 of six counts of second-degree murder and was believed to be responsible for many more deaths. He died in prison in 2024 after being attacked by another inmate.

Early life and background

Robert Pickton was born on October 24, 1949, in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. He worked in his family's pig-farming business. He later became widely known through the criminal investigation connected to his property.

Criminal investigation and conviction

Police linked Pickton to the disappearances of women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. He was arrested on February 22, 2002. In 2007, he was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and received six concurrent life sentences with no parole eligibility for 25 years.

Victims and alleged scope

Pickton was charged in relation to 26 women and was believed to have killed at least that many. An undercover prison conversation in which he claimed 49 murders added to the public understanding of the case, though that figure was not proven in court.

Death and aftermath

Pickton died on May 31, 2024, after an assault in a Quebec prison. The case remains one of the most notorious serial-killer investigations in Canadian history.

Key facts

  • Pickton was convicted of murdering six women in 2007.
  • He was investigated in connection with disappearances from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
  • Authorities found human remains and DNA evidence linked to multiple victims on his farm.
  • He was suspected of killing at least 26 women and once told an undercover officer he had killed 49.
  • He died in custody in 2024 after a prison assault.
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Canadian context

Pickton’s crimes and trial had major impact in Canada, especially in British Columbia, where they exposed failures in policing and became one of the country’s largest serial-killer investigations.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Robert Pickton?
Robert Pickton was a Canadian pig farmer from British Columbia who was convicted of murdering six women and is widely known as one of Canada's most notorious serial killers.
What did Robert Pickton do?
He was convicted of killing six women and was linked to the disappearances and deaths of many others, especially women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
How many victims did Robert Pickton have?
He was convicted in six murders, but investigators believed he may have killed at least 26 women. He also claimed 49 murders in an undercover jail conversation.
Where is Robert Pickton now?
Robert Pickton is no longer alive. He died in prison on May 31, 2024, after being attacked by another inmate in Quebec.
What happened to Robert Pickton's farm?
His Port Coquitlam farm was searched extensively by police and became a major crime scene in the investigation. It was the focus of evidence recovery involving remains, DNA, and victims' belongings.
When was Robert Pickton arrested?
He was arrested on February 22, 2002, during the investigation into disappearances linked to his farm.

References

  1. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-pickton-case
    Supports: Overview of the case, arrest date, charges, conviction, sentence, farm as a major crime scene, and prison assault/death details.
  2. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/pickton-trial-timeline-1.927418
    Supports: Conviction details, sentence, victim count, and trial timeline.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Pickton
    Supports: Biographical details, conviction, alleged victim counts, arrest date, and death in 2024.
  4. Correctional Service Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/corporate/transparency/boards-of-investigation/board-investigation-pickton.html
    Supports: Status in custody, life sentence, and details related to the prison assault and death.
  5. The Globe and Mail — https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-robert-pickton-timeline/
    Supports: Timeline of the investigation, conviction, alleged victim counts, and death.