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 sa国际传媒渋n the last few hours.sa国际传媒�

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 sa国际传媒� many who were taken from Vancouversa国际传媒檚 Downtown Eastside sa国际传媒� were found on Picktonsa国际传媒檚 Port Coquitlam pig farm. He once bragged to an undercover officer that he killed a total of 49.

Picktonsa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淲e are mindful that this offendersa国际传媒檚 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,sa国际传媒� Correctional Service Canada said in its news release.

Papinsa国际传媒檚 sister, Cynthia Cardinal, said Picktonsa国际传媒檚 death means she can finally move on from her sistersa国际传媒檚 murder.

sa国际传媒淭his is gonna bring healing for, I wonsa国际传媒檛 say all families, Isa国际传媒檒l just say most of the families,sa国际传媒� she said.

sa国际传媒淏ecause they didnsa国际传媒檛 get their day in court, (thatsa国际传媒檚) what Isa国际传媒檓 really sad about. But Isa国际传媒檓 also feeling really happy right now,sa国际传媒� said Cardinal.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 like sa国际传媒� wow, finally. I can actually move on and heal and I can put this behind me.sa国际传媒�

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 Vancouversa国际传媒檚 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 victimssa国际传媒� family members who criticized Canadasa国际传媒檚 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 Picktonsa国际传媒檚 victims. While Picktonsa国际传媒檚 death could bring closure to some of them, it could also re-open old wounds, he said.

sa国际传媒淩obert Pickton preyed on the most vulnerable people in society,sa国际传媒� 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.

sa国际传媒淕ood riddance.sa国际传媒�

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 sa国际传媒淭oday, my thoughts are with one group and one group only: the victims and all their families.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淲hile we have seen the end of a heinous life, we know that for the families of Picktonsa国际传媒檚 victims, this news has reopened old wounds and brought back painful feelings and memories,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淭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.

sa国际传媒� With files from The Canadian Press