
For years, women disappeared from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside—one by one, quietly, with little urgency from authorities. Many were Indigenous. Many were living in poverty. Most were reported missing, and then forgotten.
This episode examines the case of Robert Pickton, a pig farmer from Port Coquitlam whose property would later become one of the most disturbing crime scenes in Canadian history. While Pickton was ultimately convicted of six murders, evidence uncovered during the investigation pointed to far more victims, raising questions about how long he was able to operate—and why repeated warnings went unheeded.
We trace the timeline of the disappearances, the culture of neglect surrounding the missing women, and the investigative failures that allowed the killings to continue for years. This is not just the story of a serial killer, but of a system that repeatedly failed the people most in need of protection.
This episode discusses violence against women and systemic neglect. Listener discretion is advised. Also thanks for following us into 2026 have a happy new year and stay with us in 2026 for one amazing journey.
Sources
Cameron, Stevie. On the Farm: Robert William Pickton and the Tragic Story of Vancouver’s Missing Women. Knopf Canada, 2010.
Canadian Encyclopedia. “Robert Pickton.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada,
www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-pickton.
CBC News. “Robert Pickton Trial and Missing Women Investigation.” CBC, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, www.cbc.ca.
CTV News. “Pickton Police Interrogation Tapes and Court Coverage.” CTV News, Bell Media, www.ctvnews.ca.
Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. Forsaken: The Report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. Province of British Columbia, 2012.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “Robert Pickton Case Summary.” RCMP, Government of Canada, www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Reuters. “Timeline: Canada’s Deadliest Serial Killer Case.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, www.reuters.com.
Swinney, Chris. Pickton: Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer. John Blake Publishing, 2014.
The Globe and Mail. “Robert Pickton: Trial, Evidence, and Aftermath.” The Globe and Mail, www.theglobeandmail.com.
The Pig Farm. Directed by Michael Harbauer, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2011.
Vancouver Sun. “Robert Pickton Murder Trial Coverage.” Vancouver Sun, Postmedia Network, vancouversun.com.