Major Controversies Surrounding Robert Pickton: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Robert Pickton.

Robert William Pickton, a Canadian pig farmer, is a convicted serial killer. Known as the "Pig Farmer Killer," he is believed to have murdered at least 26 women, many of whom were sex workers from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Pickton confessed to 49 murders to an undercover RCMP officer. In 2007, he was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder and received a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years, the maximum sentence for second-degree murder in Canada at that time.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1996: Piggy Palace Good Times Society Registered

In 1996, the Picktons registered a non-profit charity called the Piggy Palace Good Times Society with the Canadian government, claiming to organize events on behalf of worthy groups. The charity's non-profit status was eventually removed after failing to produce financial statements, and the charity was disbanded.

March 23, 1997: Pickton Charged with Attempted Murder of Wendy Lynn Eistetter

On March 23, 1997, Pickton was charged with the attempted murder of prostitute Wendy Lynn Eistetter. He allegedly stabbed her four times during an altercation at his farm after she escaped, disarmed him and stabbed him with his own knife. Both sought treatment at different hospitals.

1997: Attempted Murder Charge Dropped

In 1997, an attempted murder charge against Pickton was dropped, this information was revealed in 2010 when the Crown attorney officially stayed the remaining 20 murder charges.

January 27, 1998: Attempted Murder Charge Against Pickton Stayed

On January 27, 1998, the attempted murder charge against Pickton was stayed. Prosecutors determined that Wendy Lynn Eistetter, a drug addict, was too unstable for her testimony to help secure a conviction.

June 1999: Tip Received About Freezer Full of Human Flesh

In June 1999, police received a tip that Pickton had a freezer full of human flesh in his farmhouse. However, this information was ignored.

February 6, 2002: Search Warrant Executed at Pickton Property

On February 6, 2002, police executed a search warrant for illegal firearms at the Pickton property. Both Pickton brothers were arrested, and police obtained a second warrant to search the farm as part of the BC Missing Women Investigation. Personal items belonging to missing women were found and the farm was sealed off.

February 22, 2002: Pickton Arrested and Charged with Murder

On February 22, 2002, Robert Pickton was arrested again and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sereena Abotsway and Mona Wilson.

November 2003: Excavations Continue at Pickton Farm

Throughout November 2003, excavations continued at the Pickton farm, and the cost of the investigation was estimated at C$70 million by the end of 2003.

2003: Preliminary Hearing Held

In 2003, a preliminary hearing was held and the clothes and rubber boots that Pickton had been wearing during the Eistetter assault were seized by police from an RCMP storage locker.

March 10, 2004: Allegation of Human Flesh Sold to Public

On March 10, 2004, the government revealed that Pickton may have ground up human flesh and mixed it with pork that he sold to the public. The province's health authority later issued a warning.

May 26, 2005: Additional Murder Charges Laid Against Pickton

On May 26, 2005, twelve more murder charges were laid against Robert Pickton, bringing the total to 27.

January 30, 2006: Pickton's Trial Begins

On January 30, 2006, Pickton's trial began in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in New Westminster. Pickton pleaded not guilty to the 27 charges of first-degree murder.

August 2006: Thomas Loudamy Releases Letters from Pickton

In August 2006, Thomas Loudamy, claimed he received three letters from Robert Pickton. Loudamy, claimed that his motivation in releasing the letters was to help the public gain insights into Pickton.

January 22, 2007: Pickton Faces First-Degree Murder Charges

On January 22, 2007, Pickton faced first-degree murder charges in the deaths of Frey, Abotsway, Papin, Joesbury, Wolfe, and Wilson. The media ban was lifted, and details of the investigation were publicly released.

December 9, 2007: Jury Finds Pickton Guilty of Second-Degree Murder

On December 9, 2007, the jury found Pickton not guilty on six counts of first-degree murder, but guilty on six counts of second-degree murder.

December 11, 2007: Pickton Sentenced to Life in Prison

On December 11, 2007, Pickton was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years after reading eighteen victim impact statements.

2007: Conviction of Second-Degree Murder

In 2007, Robert Pickton was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years, the longest possible sentence for second-degree murder under Canadian law at the time.

January 7, 2008: Appeal Filed Against Acquittals

On January 7, 2008, the Attorney General filed an appeal in the British Columbia Court of Appeal against Pickton's acquittals on the first-degree murder charges.

January 9, 2008: Pickton Files Notice of Appeal

On January 9, 2008, lawyers for Pickton filed a notice of appeal in the British Columbia Court of Appeal, seeking a new trial on six counts of second-degree murder.

June 25, 2009: British Columbia Court of Appeal Issues Decisions

On June 25, 2009, the British Columbia Court of Appeal issued its decisions, dismissing the defence appeal by a 2:1 majority. Pickton was entitled to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, without first seeking leave to appeal. The Court of Appeal allowed the Crown appeal, finding that the trial judge erred in excluding some evidence and in severing six counts from the rest.

June 26, 2009: Pickton to Appeal to Supreme Court of Canada

On June 26, 2009, Pickton's lawyers confirmed that they would exercise his right to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, based on the dissent in the British Columbia Court of Appeal.

August 24, 2009: Notice of Appeal Filed in the Supreme Court of Canada

On August 24, 2009, Pickton's notice of appeal was filed in the Supreme Court of Canada.

November 26, 2009: Supreme Court of Canada Grants Leave to Appeal

On November 26, 2009, the Supreme Court of Canada granted Pickton's application for leave to appeal, broadening the scope of his appeal.

July 30, 2010: Supreme Court of Canada Dismisses Pickton's Appeal

On July 30, 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its decision dismissing Pickton's appeal and affirming his convictions. The argument for a new trial was unanimously rejected.

August 4, 2010: Remaining Charges Stayed

On August 4, 2010, the remaining 20 charges against Pickton were stayed.

August 2010: Publication Ban Lifted and Public Outcry

In August 2010, the publication ban imposed during Pickton's trial in 2006 was lifted, revealing details of the investigation and trial. Journalist Jerry Langton highlighted public outrage over the police's handling of the case, citing concerns of racism, sexism, and bias against marginalized groups.

2010: Remaining Murder Charges Stayed

In 2010, the Crown attorney officially stayed the remaining 20 murder charges against Pickton. This allowed previously unrevealed information to be made public, including a 1997 attempted murder charge that had been dropped. The prosecutors stated that staying the additional charges made the most sense since Pickton was already serving the maximum sentence allowable.

May 2013: Civil Lawsuit Filed by Victims' Children

In May 2013, the victims' children filed a civil lawsuit against the Vancouver Police Department, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Crown for failing to protect the victims.

2016: Publication of 'Pickton: In his Own Words'

In 2016, the purported autobiography 'Pickton: In his Own Words' was released, initiating controversy and government action to stop Pickton from profiting from the work.

2024: Controversy over 'Pickton Farms' T-Shirt

In 2024, the comedy troupe Danger Cats faced controversy for selling T-shirts online with a caricature of Pickton headlined with "Pickton Farms" and a tagline trivializing the victims. Shows were canceled, and the shirt was removed from their store after public outrage and condemnation from the British Columbia premier.