Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton, who strangled and fed his victims to his pigs, is dead after prison assault

Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton has died at 74 after a prison attack, authorities said Friday.

He was jailed after feeding dozens of women murder victims of his pigs in a crime spree near Vancouver in the late 1990s and early 2000s, until his arrest in 2002.

The Correctional Service of Canada said in a statement that Picton, an inmate at the Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec province, died in hospital after suffering injuries in the May 19 attack involving another inmate.

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He was one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers and his case made international headlines.

A 51-year-old inmate has been taken into custody over the Picton attack, police spokesman Hugh 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 a maximum non-parole period of 25 years, after being charged with the murders of 26 women.

During Pickton’s sentencing, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice James Williams said it was a “rare case that properly justifies the maximum non-parole period available to the court.”

Police began searching Picton Farm in the Vancouver suburb of Port Coquitlam more than 22 years ago.

It was the start of a years-long investigation into the disappearance of dozens of women from Vancouver’s back streets who were left on the fringes of society.

Vancouver police have been criticized for not taking the cases seriously, as many of the missing women were sex workers or drug users.

The remains or DNA of 33 women were found at Picton’s farm in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

He once boasted to an undercover police officer that he had killed a total of 49 women.

During the trial, prosecution witness Andrew Bellwood said Pickton told him how he strangled his victims and fed their remains to pigs.

Health officials once issued tainted meat advisories to neighbors who may have bought pork from Picton’s farm, fearing the meat may contain human remains.

Cynthia Cardinal, whose sister Georgina Papen was killed by Pickton, said Pickton’s death means she can finally move on from her sister’s murder.

“It’s going to bring healing to, I’m not going to say all the families, I’m just going to 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.”

The Correctional Service of Canada said it is investigating the attack on Picton.

“The investigation will examine all facts and circumstances surrounding the attack, including whether policies and protocols were followed,” the office said in a 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 people, victims and their families.” Our thoughts are with them.”

Pickton’s confirmed victims are six: Serena Abbotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Jobsbury, Brenda Ann Wolfe, Papen and Marnie Frey.

“Earlier today I was notified of the death of an inmate at the Port-Cartier Institution,” Public Safety Minister Dominique LeBlanc said in a statement.

“My thoughts are with the families of the victims of this man’s heinous crimes at this time.”