Canadian True Crime: Robert Pickton – The Final Chapter [Part 4]

Host: Kristi Lee
Podcast: Canadian True Crime
Date: February 9, 2026
Summary of Episode:
This detailed and emotionally resonant episode is the penultimate installment in Kristi Lee's deep-dive series on Robert Pickton, the serial murderer responsible for the disappearance and deaths of numerous women from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Building on meticulous research and a trauma-informed approach, Kristi revisits the case, highlighting systemic police failures, the stories of the women lost, the web of enablers surrounding Pickton, and the long-awaited unraveling of his crimes.

Episode Overview

Kristi Lee opens by acknowledging her previous coverage of the Pickton case, stressing the growth in her research skills and trauma-awareness over the years. The new series revisits the investigation with the latest updates, including the aftermath of Pickton’s death and a deepened focus on the systemic issues that perpetuated these tragedies.

[03:17] Kristi Lee: "I always do this. I just don't want to rush it or cut corners or get sloppy. Thanks for your patience and for hanging in."

Key Topics and Insights

1. Resuming the Narrative: Warnings Ignored and Early 2000s Victims

• The episode picks up in 2000, three years since Wendy survived a knife attack by Pickton. Despite credible evidence from Wendy, the Crown deemed her unfit to testify, dropping charges and allowing Pickton’s crimes to continue.
• Multiple informants warned police and RCMP about Pickton’s boasts and suspicious activities—including body disposal at the piggery—but their reports went uninvestigated.

Examples of Ignored Warnings

• Bill Hiscox, a former employee, repeatedly reported Pickton’s comments about body disposal.
• Ross Caldwell relayed that Lyn Ellingson had witnessed Pickton kill a woman—again ignored by authorities.

[06:30] Kristi Lee: "The police did not apply for a search warrant, even after surveillance caught the pig farmer delivering barrels to West Coast Reduction twice and lost him twice. Those barrels were never inspected."

2. Dinah Taylor: Enabling and Procuring for Pickton

• Dinah was a new "associate" of Pickton, described as combative, influential among local sex workers, and reportedly began procuring women for Pickton in exchange for money, clothes, and drugs.
• Outreach staff and community members described her as uncooperative and someone to be avoided.

3. Remembering the Women Lost

• Kristi provides personal accounts and histories of several victims and those who survived or narrowly escaped Pickton, humanizing their stories beyond the headlines.

Notable Victims Discussed:

• Sharon Abraham (39): A loving mother fighting to reunite her family, her fingernail DNA would later be found on Pickton’s farm.
• Dawn Kray (42): Her DNA found in Pickton's trailer; last seen accompanying Dinah Taylor.
• Deborah Jones (43): Talented musician, blood and items found at Pickton’s home.
• Patty Johnson (24): Known for her upbeat spirit; her DNA found on various items in the farm.
• Yvonne Boone, Heather Bottomley, Heather Chinnock, Andrea Josbury, and more are remembered through poignant mini-biographies.
• Escapes: “Katrina” and “Terry” tell chilling survival stories—both escaping Pickton’s grasp but never officially reporting, usually due to criminal justice mistrust or other legal entanglements.

[10:14] Kristi Lee (narrating Katrina’s story): "She was literally trapped … When he went to turn a corner, she stabbed a pencil into the side of his neck and tried to gouge his eye … all she could hear was him laughing as she jumped up and ran for her life."

4. Community and Institutional Response

• The victims’ families and communities grow increasingly frustrated with inaction and misinformation, while the number of missing women remains shockingly high.
• Rise of "Project Evenhanded," the major joint police taskforce, finally spurs communication and progress.

[22:43] Kristi Lee: "The police publicly announced that they would be treating the missing women cases as homicide cases. This was a huge moment for everyone involved."

5. Turning Point: Scott Chubb and the Search Warrant

• Ex-employee Scott Chubb, seeking money, tells RCMP about illegal firearms at the Pickton farm—information finally sufficient for a search warrant (downplayed when first reported years prior).
• On February 5, 2002, police raid Pickton’s trailer, turning up illegal guns, disturbing paraphernalia (e.g., a revolver with a dildo as a silencer), and personal items belonging to missing women.

[35:19] Kristi Lee: "As the search of his mobile trailer home began, one of the officers headed straight for the laundry. On a shelf above Robert Pickton's washing machine was a .22 calibre Smith and Wesson revolver. It wasn't one of the illegal firearms Scott Chubb had specified, but it was notable because of what was attached to it … inserted into a soft plastic dildo."

6. Shocking Discoveries on the Farm

• DNA of multiple missing women found throughout trailer and property; large quantities of personal effects confirmed victims’ presence.
• Physical evidence includes wallets, lipstick, clothing, crack pipes, sex toys, and jewellery, stained and intermixed with the DNA of the missing.
• Scenes of animal neglect and abuse add further horror.

[43:52] Kristi Lee: "It was the first place he went with his brother David ... The pigs were already starving with no food or water ... There were sick pigs lying around ... There were also a bunch of pig carcasses and one sheep's carcass, all in various stages of decomposition."

7. Investigation Expands: Forensics and the Media Frenzy

• The property becomes the largest crime scene in Canadian history, requiring 250+ personnel.
• Media and families converge on the farm. Press coverage grows frenzied, with rumors circulating about connections to Hell’s Angels, police impound cars, and the vast amounts of fill dirt covering the property.
• Interviews with Pickton’s brother David and "gal pal" Gina Houston reveal deflection, denial, and blame towards the victims.

[59:20] David Pickton (to reporters): "We do all our own slaughtering out there."
[1:01:56] Gina Houston: "These sex workers were also crazy for drugs and would accuse him of doing things he didn't do. ... When Willie doesn't give her money for drugs, she phones and says he's slaughtering the hookers and burying them on the property."

8. Critical Arrests and Ongoing Evidence Gathering

• Police arrest Dinah Taylor and Lyn Ellingson, whose testimonies had been previously ignored. Both initially refuse cooperation.
• Blood and DNA evidence from motorhomes, blankets, handcuffs, and clothing further link Pickton to numerous victims, though no bodies are found at this stage.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On systemic failure and victim disregard:

  [06:20] Kristi Lee: "Ross Caldwell, associate of Robert Pickton, reported to the RCMP that Lyn Ellingson had told him she was staying on the farm and walked in on Willie killing a woman in the barn. ... The police did not apply for a search warrant, even after surveillance caught the pig farmer delivering barrels to West Coast Reduction twice and lost him twice."

• On the humanity of the victims:

  [15:45] Kristi Lee (describing Patty Johnson): "She was the first woman photographed for [the Heroines] series ... Patty as bright, outgoing and upbeat. Someone who talked about her children all the time."

• On the breakthrough:

  [39:30] Kristi Lee: "The Vancouver PD's Project Evenhanded members were notified—this was an opportunity that could not be messed up. They finally applied for a search warrant ... It was quickly approved and a team was assembled to execute it in the form of a surprise raid."

• On the farm’s chaos during searches:

  [53:30] Kristi Lee: "Many of the officers involved would later recall how overwhelmed they felt. It was going to be a logistical nightmare ... This would be declared the largest crime scene in Canadian history."

• On David Pickton’s denial:

  [1:00:52] Kristi Lee (quoting David Picton): "Bikers don't need hookers. You ride a bike, you've got women coming out of the woodwork. Leathers attract women."

Important Timestamps

• [03:17] — Kristi Lee explains her approach to revisiting the case.
• [06:20] — Overlooked warnings and evidence.
• [10:14 / 13:03] — Survivor stories: Katrina and Terry.
• [22:44] — Public shift to homicide investigation; Project Evenhanded's role.
• [35:19] — Raid on Pickton’s trailer and initial discoveries.
• [43:52] — Gruesome animal abuse and neglect found on property.
• [49:40+] — Itemized discovery of DNA, personal effects, and property-wide forensics.
• [53:30] — Scale of the crime scene and investigation logistics.
• [59:20 / 1:01:56] — Media circus, David Picton and Gina Houston’s statements.
• [70:38] — Closing remarks; impact on victims’ families and children.

Tone and Style

Throughout, Kristi Lee maintains a compassionate, respectful, and unflinching tone. She centers the victims’ stories and voices, critiques systemic failures, and underscores the long-term trauma inflicted on families. Her storytelling is precise, free of sensationalism, and deeply humanizing.

Final Remarks

Part 4 concludes as police prepare first-degree murder charges based on accumulating forensic evidence, with no bodies yet recovered but overwhelming confirmation of violence and loss.

[71:00] Kristi Lee (Closing): "For the families of the women who were killed, including the more than 98 children left without their mothers, it doesn't feel like closure at all. That's coming up as soon as it's ready."

Part Five will be the final chapter.

Support and Proceeds:
Kristi Lee notes that proceeds from this series are being donated to the Wish Drop-In Centre Society, supporting street-based sex workers on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

For further resources, show notes, and sources:
Visit canadiantruecrime.ca