Robert William Pickton
100326269 (du-crydillane)
Professor: Dr. Peter Sacco
Due: August 10, 2009
Course: Criminal Psychology: Psychopathic Minds
Is Robert William Pickton been proven to be the worst Canadian serial
killer? Between 1983 and 1998 a total of twenty-six Vancouver females went
missing from the Low Track district, Vancouver. Clifford Olsen a serial killer
charged for murdering eleven children was Canada’s worst serial killer until
Robert Pickton walked out of British Columbia courts. (M. Newton)
Robert William Pickton was born October 24, 1949 to parents Leonard &
Louise Pickton. (Canadian Press) The Pickton family was well known around
Port Coquitlam, B.C. for their big parties, which were held at the family farm
known as the Piggy Palace (M.Newton) Pickton was seen as a hardworking,
clean – living sort always willing to lend a hand and his money by his neighbours
and friends.(M.Newton) Robert and his brother Dave operated a pig farm on
Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside also known as "Low Track". (M.Newton)
Picktons first victim Rebecca Guno, a 23 year old First Nations female,
who was last seen alive June 22, 1983 and reported missing approximately three
days later.(M.Newton) Picktons second victim, Forty Three year old Sherry Rail
went missing January, 1984 and yet wasn’t reported missing until three years
after she was last seen.(M.Newton) A Third known victim, Elaine Auerbach, 33,
told friends she was moving to Seattle in March,1986. She disappeared but
never arrived in Seattle. She was reported missing approximately a month
later.(M.Newton). Twenty-six years old Aboriginal, Teressa Ann Williams, was
last seen alive sometime in July, 1988, but was not reported missing until March
of the following year.(M.Newton) Ingrid Soet, 40 went missing August,1989 and
was reported missing October 1, 1990 over a year from her disappearance.
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(M.Newton) African American victim, 39 year old Kathleen Wattley disappeared
June 1992 and reported missing later that month.(M.Newton) Forty-Seven year
old, Catherine Gonzales disappeared March, 1995 but as many victims before
Gonzales was not reported missing until February 1996.(M.Newton) Catherine
Knight 32 went missing not being reported missing till 8 months later. Thirty-Six
year old, Aboriginal Dorothy Spence went missing August of 1995 and reported
missing October of that year. (M.Newton). Diana Melnick 23 disappeared and
reported missing in December 1995. Tanya Holyk, 24 disappeared October 1996
and reported missing November of that year.(M.Newton) Twenty Two year old,
Olivia Williams disappeared December yet wasn’t reported missing until July of
that year. Twenty year old Stephanie Lane was admitted to the hospital after a
drug overdose being released March 10, 1997 then disappearing. Janet Henry
who also had a hit misses with serial killer Clifford Olson. Henry went missing
June 1997.(M.Newton) Marnie Frey, 25 went missing August 1997 but wasn’t
reported missing until September 1998. (M.Newton)Thirty two year old Helen
Hallmark went missing early September was reported missing on September 23
1998. Jacqueline Murdock 28 was reported missing October 1998 but
disappeared at an unknown date. Thirty Three year old Cindy Beck went missing
September 1997 but wasn’t reported missing until April 1998. Andrea Borhaven
disappeared within the year of 1997 but an exact date is unknown. Borhaven was
reported missing May 1999.(M.Newton) Kerry Koski 39 went missing January of
1998 and was later report missing near the end of the month. Twenty-three year
old, Jacqueline McDonnell disappeared January 1998 but wasn’t reported
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missing till February 1999.(M.Newton) Inga Hall was last seen February of 1993
and was reported missing March 3 of that year.(M.Newton) Sarah Jane deVries,
29 vanished on April 14, 2998. A friend reported her missing the same. Picktons
last victim Sheila Egan, 20 disappeared July 1998 but wasn’t reported missing
until August 5th, 1998. (M.Newton)
The official search for the missing women didn’t start until September
1998 yet the first victim went missing June 1983. Over the years many noticed
the high amount of Vancouver prostitutes going missing with no explanation.
Police push these accusations and concerns to the back burner. Once the
investigation was brought forward several fingers were pointed at pimps, and
other prostitutes for these crimes. Several past serial killer were suspected such
as Gary Leon Ridgway (Green River Murderer) , Dayton Leroy Rogers (Molalla
Forest Killer) or John Eric Armstrong. Noone expect pig farmer Robert Pickton to
be the serial murderer walking about B.C for almost 15 years. (M.Newton)
Although the farm was search in 1997 and 1998 no evidence was found
and no charges were ever laid. March 23, 1997 should have brought a red flag
when accusations came flying his way but police brushed this as being
unrelated to the case. Pickton was arrested with attempting to murder a
prostitute. But charged were later dropped but red flags should have been up.
February 7, 2002 police searched Picktons farm plus additional property owned
by the family. Pickton was later arrested for the murders of Sereena Armstroug
and Mona Wilson. Later on in the investigation several samples of DNA were
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found throughout the pig farm including those of the above victims as well as
some unknown samples. Pickton was then charged with four more counts of
murder after evidences solved the disappearance of Jacqueline McDonnell,
Heather Bottomley, Diane Rock and Angela Josebury. Investigator continue with
a theral check of the farm for incriminating evidents when the remains of Brenda
Wolfe were found. Pickton denied all charges and accusations against him
throughout the investigation. The charges kept heading his way. Later October
1996 more charges were laid against Pickton for the murders of Gabrielle
Chinnock, Tanya Harlyk, and Inga Hall. As the investigation unleashed 9 more
victims were found throughout Picktons farm but were unidentified.
Although for years police were unable to make a description or profile the
expected suspects due to no correlation or a repeat pattern in his victims. Later
on in the investigation police and forensic officers described this pattern to be:
Those who possible work in the sex trade and prostitution, history of alcohol,
drug and abuse.
Accusations were brought forward in 2004 stating there were possibilities
that Pickton fed his victims bodies to his pigs which were later sent to slaughter
to be used as pork. Although police confirmed that these pigs were not
slaughtered for public consumption. Pickton gave fellow neighbours and friends
pork which were not able to be sold to the public. Pickton was also serving this
pork to his guest which accompanied to his parties as well as his victims.
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Throughout the search police found such evidence as a mattress covered
in blood, which was later, identified as Mona Wilson. Also, Mona Wilson’s head
and hands were also found within the farms boundaries. Sereena Abotsway and
Andrea Josesbury jawbones were both found in pigpens located on Picktons
farm. Also, multiple body parts were found within storage freezer on the farm
ground.
On December 11, 2007 pig farmer Robert Pickton received his sentence
after a long investigation, conviction, and trial. Pickton was sentenced to a life
sentence in prison with chance of parole or 25 years in jail for the murder of 6
prostitutes: Sereena Abotsway, Marnie Frey, Andrea Joesbuy, Georgina Papin,
Mona Wilson, and Brenda Wolfe.
Picktons M.O with all his crimes were to bring his victims back to his farm,
party & have sexual relations with the victims then kill them afterwards. Although
unaware of his reason to why he would kill his victims.
Picktons signature for his crimes to burry, or place body parts throughout
his farm. For example investigators found hands, heads, jawbones spread in
pigpens and freezers on the farm. Another signature could possible be Pickton
feeding the remains of his victims to his pigs.
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Pickton was viewed as one who didn’t have many girlfriends or friends.
Pickton's older brother Dave was viewed as the popular well known whereas
Robert was the loser. This may have caused Robert to have a drastically low
self-esteem while growing up and even as an adult. Many claimed that
Pickton met a female pen pal in the early 70s, which later fell apart. This
experience may have been the beginning of his rage and jealousy. Pickton may
have had some form of trust issues, which may have begun from family
members, and friends miss using him for possessions and money. This may
have escalated into anger later on in life. Although there is very little amount of
information about Picktons childhood and biography available there may have
been some form of abuse or neglect while growing up. He may possible saw his
father inflict verbal or physical violence upon his mother or siblings which would
explain his violence towards women. Early signs that could possible have been
detected earlier in life could be tourture to siblings or animals, angry behaviour,
stalking or creeping people, anti-social behaviour or a loner type behaviour, and
a fascination with certain crimes or activities such as fire.
Although violence or neglect was possible this is no excuse to go out and
murder multiple women. Robert Pickton deserves a heavier sentence then what
Judge Williams gave him. Pickton was charged with the murder of 6 Vancouver
women and pending 20 more murders. Picktons was sentenced to life
imprisonment without eligible parole (or 25 years). Twenty- Five years for
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murdering 6 proven murders is a slap on wrist. Pickton killed multiple women his
sentencing says your being punished for murder 1 but not murder 2, 3 and so on.
Why should he be let off with 1 sentence or even 6 when multiple women
disappeared and Pickton has allegedly killed them.
This case is one example of misinterpretation, miscommunication, and
denial between the town, police department, family members, and neighbours of
both Pickton and the victims. Pickton was accused of attempting to murder a
prostitute prior to the big allegations against him of multiple prostitutes. Police
shrug these cases off as the victims either left town, went through rehab or died
from their lifestyles. I could see this if minimal amount went missing in the same
period, which could be other reasoning for this. But when multiple victims up to
60 go missing and when the cases seem similar – same type of victim, same
disappearance, no contact or mentioning leaving to family members. Picktons
farm was a family owned business, which means Robert, wasn’t the only
operater of the farm. Did Dave know about Picktons behaviours? Did he help
with these crimes? Although minor crimes can be missed and not noticed by
neighbours, family, or police but why was murder missed. How could people not
see these crimes being committed? Body parts being stored in the same freezer
as pork that he gave to family members, and neighbours. Pickton held big parties
did they not question about the body parts, articles such as personal items, and
possible the bones. More people knew about his behaviour than they wanted to
admit to knowing. Noone came forward with these allegations in afraid of what
they may find, what may happen to them, and what Pickton may do to them.
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Did someone put Pickton to do these crimes? Was he trying to prove a
point? Was he trying to prove he was a man and could be the boss? After
reading about Robert Pickton it was hard to believe he could do such a crime but
then I didn’t personally know him, which is completely different from just reading
it off paper. Pickton had a low self esteem and was categoriezed as a loner. Did
someone promise him something he could prove he was a man? For example if
Pickton murders Jane Doe he would move up in the world and have a higher
status. Other will look up to him for being a man and taking someone’s life. He
grew up being the shadow of his brother. Pickton was looked down on
throughout his life by committing these crimes he could have been trying to prove
a point to someone or a group of people. This form of violence is a demonstration
of empowerment and being able to be in charge or the boss. Did he bottle his
feelings up till he snapped? Why did he commit these crimes? There are reasons
why people do what they do. A lot of times people will commit crimes or even go
to school to benefit themselves. You commit a crime such as stealing to gain a
possession or money. You go to school to gain knowledge and experience to get
a job that will earn more money. But why did Pickton commit his crimes? What
was he gaining from murdering prostitutes? Pickton did this to show his authority
to someone due to his family looking down on him and insulting him.
Has Robert Pickton been prove to be Canada’s worst serial killer? Yes, in
my opinion he is currently Canadians worst serial killer. Someone who could kill
multiple prostitutes as many as 26, giving them drugs, killing them and feeding
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their remains to his pigs then slaughter and giving family members, neighbours,
and the community these animals which have ingested human beings. I’m just
shocked at how he got away with so many murders over such a big span of time.
If you suspected such fowl play with a family member, neighbour or friend would
you notify police and investigate yourself? I would. Anyone is capable of doing
such acts as those of Robert Pickton.
Reference
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CTV. December 11 2007. Pickton gets life, no chance of parole for 25 years.
Retrieved: July 31, 2009.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071210/pickton_sentenc
e_071211/20071211?hub=TopStorie
M. Newton. Robert Pickton: The Vancouver Missing Women. Retrieved: August
02, 2009.
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/robert_pickton/1.html
Canadian Press. Key Dates in the Robert Pickton case. Retrieved: August 05,
2009
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/12/09/4715876-cp.html
May 29 2008. Life Sentence without parole 25 years. Retrieved: August 02, 2009
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=94d2f590-2b4c-4eca-b1a5501ec2f6f996&k=34461
K Burns. The missing Women of Vancouver. Retrieved: July 31, 2009
http://karisable.com/skazpicton.htm
P.Fong. December 12, 2007. Pickton gets the maximum. Retrieved: August 02,
2009.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/284827
R. Southern. How to recognize early warning signs of a serial killer. Retrieved:
August 07, 2009
http://www.ehow.com/how_2283785_recognize-early-warning-signs-serial.html
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