Childhood and Education Journey of Robert Pickton in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 9, 2026

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Robert Pickton. From birth to education, explore key events.

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

1912: Louise Helene Arnal Born

In 1912, Louise Helene Arnal, Robert William Pickton's mother, was born.

October 24, 1949: Robert William Pickton Born

On October 24, 1949, Robert William Pickton was born. He later became known as a Canadian pig farmer and serial killer convicted of multiple murders.

1963: Pickton Drops Out of School

In 1963, Robert Pickton dropped out of school. He then worked as a meat cutter for nearly seven years before working full-time at his family's farm.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

June 2018: Pickton Transferred to Port-Cartier Institution

In June 2018, Robert Pickton was transferred from Kent Institution in British Columbia to Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec.

February 2024: Pickton Becomes Eligible for Day Parole

In February 2024, Robert Pickton became eligible to apply for day parole; however, no Parole Board of Canada hearing was scheduled.

May 19, 2024: Pickton Attacked in Prison

On May 19, 2024, Robert Pickton was attacked by another prisoner, Martin Charest, at the Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec. Charest assaulted Pickton with a broken broomstick, leading to Pickton being airlifted to a hospital and placed on life support.