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 害羞草研究所渋n the last few hours.害羞草研究所�

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 害羞草研究所� many who were taken from Vancouver害羞草研究所檚 Downtown Eastside 害羞草研究所� were found on Pickton害羞草研究所檚 Port Coquitlam pig farm. He once bragged to an undercover officer that he killed a total of 49.

Pickton害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淲e are mindful that this offender害羞草研究所檚 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,害羞草研究所� Correctional Service Canada said in its news release.

Papin害羞草研究所檚 sister, Cynthia Cardinal, said Pickton害羞草研究所檚 death means she can finally move on from her sister害羞草研究所檚 murder.

害羞草研究所淭his is gonna bring healing for, I won害羞草研究所檛 say all families, I害羞草研究所檒l just say most of the families,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淏ecause they didn害羞草研究所檛 get their day in court, (that害羞草研究所檚) what I害羞草研究所檓 really sad about. But I害羞草研究所檓 also feeling really happy right now,害羞草研究所� said Cardinal.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 like 害羞草研究所� wow, finally. I can actually move on and heal and I can put this behind me.害羞草研究所�

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害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所� family members who criticized Canada害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 victims. While Pickton害羞草研究所檚 death could bring closure to some of them, it could also re-open old wounds, he said.

害羞草研究所淩obert Pickton preyed on the most vulnerable people in society,害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所淕ood riddance.害羞草研究所�

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 害羞草研究所淭oday, my thoughts are with one group and one group only: the victims and all their families.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淲hile we have seen the end of a heinous life, we know that for the families of Pickton害羞草研究所檚 victims, this news has reopened old wounds and brought back painful feelings and memories,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淭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.

害羞草研究所� With files from The Canadian Press