Robert William “Willie” Pickton, born on October 24, 1949, is a Canadian serial killer who was convicted of the second-degree murders of six women. He was also charged with the deaths of an additional twenty women, many of whom were prostitutes and drug users from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Pickton’s childhood and home life shaped him into a criminal, and it is important to understand the conditions he grew up in to understand why he became a serial killer.
Early Life
Robert Pickton was born in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, the youngest of four children. His father, Leonard, was a hard-working farmer who owned a pig farm in the area. His mother, Mary, was a housewife and a devout Jehovah’s Witness. His siblings included two brothers, Dave and Rick, and a sister, Linda.
Pickton and his siblings grew up on the family farm, and were expected to help with the daily chores. He was known to be a hard worker, but he was also known to be a loner and kept to himself. He was also known to have a short temper and was often in trouble with the law.
Home Life
Pickton’s home life was difficult. His father was an alcoholic and was known to be abusive towards his children. His mother was a Jehovah’s Witness and was known to be strict and controlling. Pickton was often the target of his father’s physical and emotional abuse, and he was known to be isolated from the rest of his family.
Pickton’s home life was further complicated by his parents’ religious beliefs. His mother was a devout Jehovah’s Witness and taught her children the religion’s teachings. Pickton was often subjected to his mother’s strict rules and regulations and was not allowed to participate in activities that were seen as sinful.
Robert Pickton’s childhood was difficult and shaped him into the criminal he eventually became. His home life was filled with abuse and neglect, and his parents’ religious beliefs further isolated him from the outside world. It is important to understand the conditions he grew up in to understand why he became a serial killer.