B.C. killer Robert Pickton is dead, just days after he was assaulted at a maximum security prison in Quebec, Correctional Service Canada confirmed Friday (May 31).

Pickton, 74, died in hospital May 31 after being injured in an assault by another inmate on May 19 at Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Correctional Service Canada says it is launching a Board of Investigation in the assault. The invesigation will look into the circumstances around the assault, and whether policies and protocols were followed.

Quebec provincial police spokesman Fr茅d茅ric Deshaies said Friday afternoon that Pickton had died 香蕉视频直播渋n the last few hours.香蕉视频直播�

He said police were also continuing to investigate the assault and that they had a 51-year-old suspect.

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Correctional Service Canada said at the time of his death, Pickton had been serving an indeterminate sentence that began on Dec. 11, 2007 for six counts of second-degree murder, with the maximum parole ineligibility period of 25 years.

He was charged with the murders of 26 women, but the remains or DNA of 33 香蕉视频直播� many who were taken from Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 Downtown Eastside 香蕉视频直播� were found on Pickton香蕉视频直播檚 Port Coquitlam pig farm. He once bragged to an undercover officer that he killed a total of 49.

Pickton香蕉视频直播檚 confirmed victims were Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Ann Wolfe, Georgina Papin and Marnie Frey.

His next of kin has been notified, and Correctional Service Canada has also contacted registered victims. A coroner has also been notified.

香蕉视频直播淲e are mindful that this offender香蕉视频直播檚 case has had a devastating impact on communities in British Columbia and across the country, including Indigenous peoples, victims and their families. Our thoughts are with them,香蕉视频直播� Correctional Service Canada said in its news release.

Papin香蕉视频直播檚 sister, Cynthia Cardinal, said Pickton香蕉视频直播檚 death means she can finally move on from her sister香蕉视频直播檚 murder.

香蕉视频直播淭his is gonna bring healing for, I won香蕉视频直播檛 say all families, I香蕉视频直播檒l just say most of the families,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淏ecause they didn香蕉视频直播檛 get their day in court, (that香蕉视频直播檚) what I香蕉视频直播檓 really sad about. But I香蕉视频直播檓 also feeling really happy right now,香蕉视频直播� said Cardinal.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 like 香蕉视频直播� wow, finally. I can actually move on and heal and I can put this behind me.香蕉视频直播�

Police began searching the Pickton farm in the Vancouver suburb of Port Coquitlam more than 22 years ago in what would be a years-long investigation into the disappearances of dozens of women, many of them from Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 Downtown Eastside.

Vancouver police were criticized for not taking the cases seriously because many of the missing were sex workers or drug users.

Pickton became eligible for day parole in February, which sparked outrage from advocates, politicians and victims香蕉视频直播� family members who criticized Canada香蕉视频直播檚 justice system, saying he should never be released from prison.

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Premier David Eby said Friday that his first thoughts go to the families of Pickton香蕉视频直播檚 victims. While Pickton香蕉视频直播檚 death could bring closure to some of them, it could also re-open old wounds, he said.

香蕉视频直播淩obert Pickton preyed on the most vulnerable people in society,香蕉视频直播� Eby said. What happened to them underscores the need to ensure the dignity of all British Columbians, he told reporters shortly after the news broke.

香蕉视频直播淕ood riddance.香蕉视频直播�

Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, who was one of several Lower Mainland mayors to sign a letter calling for Pickton to not be allowed day parole, said 香蕉视频直播淭oday, my thoughts are with one group and one group only: the victims and all their families.香蕉视频直播�

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said the province will continue to do everything it can to support the families of the victims in finding answers and justice.

香蕉视频直播淲hile we have seen the end of a heinous life, we know that for the families of Pickton香蕉视频直播檚 victims, this news has reopened old wounds and brought back painful feelings and memories,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淭hat pain is still being felt today for the families of the victims, and our entire community.

Black Press Media has reached out to Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.

香蕉视频直播� With files from The Canadian Press