This season explores the horrific case of Canadian serial killer Robert Pikton.
A holistic approach is taken this season with important aspects that will look at how and
why a serial killer was able to operate in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side for numerous years.
Many important topics will be discussed such as the impact on victims and how this case is part of a
larger conversation dealing with the Missing and Murdered Indigenious Women and Girls National Inquiry.
Significant questions are explored by Central Peel’s 2019 grade twelve law students as they try to understand
and unravel one of Canada’s greatest tragedies.
Written and edited by: Arjun Anand and Vagesh Jeyakumar
The first episode of the crimewaves podcast is about Robert Pickton's early life. We go
into depth regarding the slow transformation from how Pickton turned into an average
farm boy into a cold hearted killer. The first episode specifically highlights the treatment
of robert by his parents and how that took a toll on his mental health when he was being
raised. We looked at how robert had a particular fondness for many aspects of the farm
and how it became a key part of his adult and future life. During the episode we touch
into his mother's behaviours and methods that she used including a very harsh cover up
for a murder commited by her other son, david. We also cover davids close connection
with animals at his farm and how he looked to the animals as a coping method,
including a calf who later met an untimely demise. We later touch into some of his facts
about his early adult life and how he transferred into a killer.
Citations
CTVnews, (2010), “Woman Claims she escaped from Robert Pickton’s Farm”, (4August, 2010), Retrieved from: https://www.ctvnews.ca/woman-claims-she-escaped-from-robert-pickton-s-farm-1.538896
Greg Joyce and Stephanie Levitz, (2007), “The life of Robert Pickton”, (10 December, 2007), Retrieved from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/news/national/the-life-of-robert-pickton/article4324660/
Robert Matas, (2016), “A generous Companion or a diabolical killer”, (5 December 2015), Retrieved from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/a-generous-companion-or-a-diabolical-killer/article18150468/
Vancouver Sun, (2010), “Young Willie Pickton was shattered by the slaughter of his pet”, (9 August, 2010), Retrieved from: https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/young-willie-pickton-was-shattered-by-the-slaughter-of-his-pet
Blanco, J. I. (n.d.). Robert Pickton: Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers.Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://murderpedia.org/male.P/p/pickton-robert.htm.
Cameron, S. (2007, June 17). Pickton's mother was a key influence. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from: https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/06/17/picktons_mother_was_a_key_influence.html.
Duncan, J. (2019, October 22). 10 Dark Facts About Robert Pickton, The Pig Farmer Killer. Retrieved from https://listverse.com/2018/10/30/10-dark-facts-about-robert-pickton-the-pig-farmer-killer/
Written and edited by: Hiba Al-Falahi, Shaili Kadakia, Binalpreet Kalra, Lillian Luan, and Mansha Sharma
This episode explores the investigation into Robert Pickton and, in extension, the missing women from
the Downtown East Side (DTES) of Vancouver, led by the RCMP and Vancouver Police Department.
Based on the BC Commissioner Wally Oppal’s report findings after the case was settled, this episode is
organized into four parts. Part one provides a history of the women and the DTES area. It is followed by
part two, a timeline of the official investigation, and part three, the specific police failures committed
within Pickton’s case. Part four discusses future steps to implement toward eradicating the issues
surrounding sex workers and MMIWAG in the DTES. This episode includes an interview with Maggie de
Vries, an author and advocate for Vancouver women, whose sister Sarah was a victim of Robert Pickton.
She speaks to the firsthand experience she had while searching for Sarah and the mismanagement that
allowed many more women to fall victim to violence in the area.
Citations
CTVnews, (2010), “Woman Claims she escaped from Robert Pickton’s Farm”, (4August, 2010), Retrieved from: https://www.ctvnews.ca/woman-claims-she-escaped-from-robert-pickton-s-farm-1.538896
Greg Joyce and Stephanie Levitz, (2007), “The life of Robert Pickton”, (10 December, 2007), Retrieved from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/news/national/the-life-of-robert-pickton/article4324660/
Robert Matas, (2016), “A generous Companion or a diabolical killer”, (5 December 2015), Retrieved from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/a-generous-companion-or-a-diabolical-killer/article18150468/
Vancouver Sun, (2010), “Young Willie Pickton was shattered by the slaughter of his pet”, (9 August, 2010), Retrieved from: https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/young-willie-pickton-was-shattered-by-the-slaughter-of-his-pet
Blanco, J. I. (n.d.). Robert Pickton: Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers.Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://murderpedia.org/male.P/p/pickton-robert.htm.
Cameron, S. (2007, June 17). Pickton's mother was a key influence. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from: https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/06/17/picktons_mother_was_a_key_influence.html.
Duncan, J. (2019, October 22). 10 Dark Facts About Robert Pickton, The Pig Farmer Killer. Retrieved from https://listverse.com/2018/10/30/10-dark-facts-about-robert-pickton-the-pig-farmer-killer/
Written and edited by: Jessie Hunt and Arianna Newby-Walker
As one of the biggest cases in Canadian history, people watched closely as Pickton was under
trial for his horrendous crimes. During the span of 19 years, Robert Pickton got away with
murdering over twenty-seven women on his farm, due to the complete negligence of the police
force. The Crown prosecuted Pickton on six charges out of the twenty-six for a number of
reasons but brought enough evidence to the table to get him thrown behind bars for life. The
defences approach was more controversial, as they attacked the fact of whether the other twenty
women were actually dead. Not many details were known about the trial due to the publication
ban, but Canadians followed along the best way they could. The argument on whether or not the
forty-nine women actually got the justice they deserved, is still being debated, but there’s one
thing we know for sure: Pickton will never see the light of day again. In this episode, we discuss
every aspect of the trial, from the defence’s perspective to the very controversial media blackout,
and pick apart whether or not justice was truly served.
Citations
Blanco, J. I. (2020, January). Robert Pickton: Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://murderpedia.org/male.P/p/pickton-robert.htm.
Broadfield, A. (2020, January). The Defences Case: Forty-Nine. Brampton.
CBC. (2007, June 26). Body hanging in Pickton's barn, witness says | CBC News. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/body-hanging-in-pickton-s-barn- witness-says-1.637660.
CBC. (2007, September 6). Visitors free to come and go at Pickton farm: friend | CBC News. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/visitors-free-to-come-and-go-at-pickton-farm-friend-1.663030.
CBC. (2007, October 2). Bloodstains found on mattress may not be human, Pickton trial told | CBC News. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britishcolumbia/bloodstains-found-on-mattress-may-not-be-human-pickton-trial-told-1.637851.
CBC. (2007, October 15). Pickton's scores in IQ test below average, court told | CBC News. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/pickton-s-scores-in-iq-test-below-average-court-told-1.676233.
CBC. (2016, November 1). Pickton trial timeline | CBC News. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/pickton-trial-timeline-1.927418.
A News. (n.d.). Gruesome Pickton details revealed. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/9tbsfifD-nM
ANewsVanIsland. (2010, August 5). Gruesome Pickton details revealed. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Jvw9g9w1LSs
Hunt, J. (2020, January). Final Arguments and Sentencing: Forty-Nine. Brampton.
National Post. (2010, August 9). Robert Pickton cell video. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/y3gPa-wx43c
Newby-Walker, A. (2020, January). The Crowns Case: Forty-Nine. Brampton.
Pannu, C. (2020, January). The Crowns Case: Forty-Nine. Brampton.
Nightmare Films. (2019, March 26). Robert Pickton | The Pig Farm Killer... Retrieved from https://youtu.be/zK9XBNVPZpw
Thayalan, M. (2020, January). Appeals: Forty-Nine. Brampton.
Written and edited by: Aaditya Bharadwaj, Sahij Hayer, Keshav Mayya, and Harshil Singla
This episode of 49 will be discussing the victims, as well as the victimology behind the
horrid acts of Robert Pickton. Three particular victims are considered as “case studies”
and their lives are explained in detail before their untimely fates. These case studies
consider; who was this person before they were a victim? What personal problems did
they have to overcome? How did they become a victim? We later discuss the different
theories of victimology, including works by renowned victimologists: Mendehlson,
Schafer, and Von Hentig. Finally, the victimology classification and theories are
discussed and critiqued by in-house analysts in the context of the three specific victims.
Citations
Armstrong, J. (2018, April 16). The short, tragic life of Sereena. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-short-tragic-life-of-sereena/article4131910/.
Auld, A. (2016, August 21). Missing Lives - Marnie Frey. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from http://www.missingpeople.net/missing_lives_marnie_frey.htm.
Ball, P. (2011, December 16). Mother of Pickton victim says cops brushed her off, withheld daughter's possessions. Vancouver Observer. Retrieved from https://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/news/2011/12/16/mother-pickton-victim-says-cops-brushed-her-withheld-daughters-possessions.
Blanco, J. (n.d.). Robert William Pickton. Murderpedia. Retrieved from https://murderpedia.org/male.P/p/pickton-robert.htm.
Butts, E. (2016, July 26). Robert Pickton Case. The Candian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-pickton-case.
Daigle, L. E., & Muftić Lisa R. (2020). Victimology: a comprehensive approach. Retrieved from https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-assets/98849_book_item_98849.pdf
Hainsworth, J. (2018, November 21). Family told Pickton victim's remains not cremated, not fit for burial. North Shore News. Retrieved from https://www.nsnews.com/family-told-pickton-victim-s-remains-not-cremated-not-fit-for-burial-1.23504535.
Higgins, S. (2015, September 10). An inside look at the botched Robert Pickton investigation. CBC. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/an-inside-look-at-the-botched-robert-pickton-investigation-1.3222632.
Keay, B., & Battistoni, P. (2017, May 19). Sereena Abotsway: A troubled child who once won a trip to Holland eventually wound up on the streets of Vancouver. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/sereena-abotsway-a-troubled-child-who-once-won-a-trip-to-holland-eventually-wound-up-on-the-streets-of-vancouver.
Lindgren, M., & Nikolic-Ristanovic, V. (2011). Crime Victims: International and Serbian Perspective. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Meissner, D. (2016, August 21). Missing Lives - Sereena Abotsway. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from http://www.missingpeople.net/missing_lives_sereena_abotsway.htm
Mertl, S. (2016, August 21). Missing Lives - Andrea Borhaven. The Canadian Press. Retrieved August 21, 2016, from http://www.missingpeople.net/missing_lives_andrea_borhaven.htm
Miller, M. (2016, February 23). 'Worst serial killer in history,' who fed prostitutes to pigs, sparks rage by publishing book. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/02/23/worst-serial-killer-in-history-who-fed-prostitutes-to-pigs-sparks-rage-by-publishing-book/.
Moore, D. (2016, August 21). Missing Lives - Cara Ellis. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from http://www.missingpeople.net/missing_lives_cara_ellis.htm.
Serial killer's letters tell his motive. (2007, December 10). UPI. Retrieved from https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2007/12/10/Serial-killers-letters-tell-his-motive/70551197340691/?ur3=1.
THE VICTIMS. (2016, December 5). The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-victims/article18151238/.
Who Were Pickton's Alleged Victims? (2007, January 22). CityNews. Retrieved from https://toronto.citynews.ca/2007/01/22/who-were-picktons-alleged-victims/.
3 Modern Theories of Victimology. (2019, September 2). Grand Canyon University. Retrieved from https://www.gcu.edu/blog/criminal-justice-government-and-public-administration/3-modern-theories-victimology.
Written and edited by: Dua Arshad, Maryna Huynh, Jadyn Koehler, Tanisha Shakya, and Aleesha Syed
Criminology seeks to determine why people commit crimes, especially those of the most horrific
nature. Definitive answers will never be found, but there are multiple theories within the field
that offer potential explanations, some of which will be discussed in this episode and be
specifically related to Robert Pickton. An interview is conducted with renowned Canadian
criminologist, Dr. Kim Rossmo, about his specialization in geographic profiling and his
involvement with the Robert Pickton case. Special thanks to the music used in this episode.
Citations
Armstrong, J. (2018, April 16). The short, tragic life of Sereena. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-short-tragic-life-of-sereena/article4131910/.
Auld, A. (2016, August 21). Missing Lives - Marnie Frey. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from http://www.missingpeople.net/missing_lives_marnie_frey.htm.
Ball, P. (2011, December 16). Mother of Pickton victim says cops brushed her off, withheld daughter's possessions. Vancouver Observer. Retrieved from https://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/news/2011/12/16/mother-pickton-victim-says-cops-brushed-her-withheld-daughters-possessions.
Blanco, J. (n.d.). Robert William Pickton. Murderpedia. Retrieved from https://murderpedia.org/male.P/p/pickton-robert.htm.
Butts, E. (2016, July 26). Robert Pickton Case. The Candian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-pickton-case.
Daigle, L. E., & Muftić Lisa R. (2020). Victimology: a comprehensive approach. Retrieved from https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-assets/98849_book_item_98849.pdf
Hainsworth, J. (2018, November 21). Family told Pickton victim's remains not cremated, not fit for burial. North Shore News. Retrieved from https://www.nsnews.com/family-told-pickton-victim-s-remains-not-cremated-not-fit-for-burial-1.23504535.
Higgins, S. (2015, September 10). An inside look at the botched Robert Pickton investigation. CBC. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/an-inside-look-at-the-botched-robert-pickton-investigation-1.3222632.
Keay, B., & Battistoni, P. (2017, May 19). Sereena Abotsway: A troubled child who once won a trip to Holland eventually wound up on the streets of Vancouver. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/sereena-abotsway-a-troubled-child-who-once-won-a-trip-to-holland-eventually-wound-up-on-the-streets-of-vancouver.
Lindgren, M., & Nikolic-Ristanovic, V. (2011). Crime Victims: International and Serbian Perspective. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Meissner, D. (2016, August 21). Missing Lives - Sereena Abotsway. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from http://www.missingpeople.net/missing_lives_sereena_abotsway.htm
Mertl, S. (2016, August 21). Missing Lives - Andrea Borhaven. The Canadian Press. Retrieved August 21, 2016, from http://www.missingpeople.net/missing_lives_andrea_borhaven.htm
Miller, M. (2016, February 23). 'Worst serial killer in history,' who fed prostitutes to pigs, sparks rage by publishing book. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/02/23/worst-serial-killer-in-history-who-fed-prostitutes-to-pigs-sparks-rage-by-publishing-book/.
Moore, D. (2016, August 21). Missing Lives - Cara Ellis. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from http://www.missingpeople.net/missing_lives_cara_ellis.htm.
Serial killer's letters tell his motive. (2007, December 10). UPI. Retrieved from https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2007/12/10/Serial-killers-letters-tell-his-motive/70551197340691/?ur3=1.
THE VICTIMS. (2016, December 5). The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-victims/article18151238/.
Who Were Pickton's Alleged Victims? (2007, January 22). CityNews. Retrieved from https://toronto.citynews.ca/2007/01/22/who-were-picktons-alleged-victims/.
3 Modern Theories of Victimology. (2019, September 2). Grand Canyon University. Retrieved from https://www.gcu.edu/blog/criminal-justice-government-and-public-administration/3-modern-theories-victimology.
