In a shocking turn of events, Robert Pickton, the Canadian serial killer responsible for the deaths of at least six women, has passed away after being assaulted in prison. The 74-year-old inmate, who was serving a life sentence for his gruesome crimes, succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack on May 19, according to the Correctional Service Canada.

Pickton, known for bringing female victims to his pig farm during his crime spree in the late 1990s and early 2000s near Vancouver, was incarcerated at the Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec at the time of the assault. Authorities have revealed that another inmate, a 51-year-old individual, is currently in custody in connection with the incident.

Having been convicted of six counts of second-degree murder in 2007, Pickton was sentenced to life in prison with a maximum parole ineligibility period of 25 years. However, he was originally charged with the murders of 26 women, and he even boasted to an undercover police officer about killing a total of 49 women.

The investigation into Pickton's crimes began over two decades ago, when police initiated a search of his pig farm in the Vancouver suburb of Port Coquitlam. This relentless search eventually led to the discovery of the remains or DNA of 33 women, many of whom had been picked up from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

The families of some of the victims have been actively opposing a police application seeking to destroy evidence related to the cases against Pickton. They believe that the evidence could prove useful in the future, particularly if advances in DNA technology can potentially link Pickton to the murders of other women.

The news of Robert Pickton's death has undoubtedly brought mixed emotions for the families of his victims. While they may find some closure in knowing that he will never be able to harm anyone else, questions surrounding the unsolved cases still remain.

As the investigation into Pickton's crimes comes to a close, authorities must continue their efforts to bring justice to the families of all the women who lost their lives at the hands of this notorious killer. The hope now rests on the possibility of advancements in DNA technology, which could potentially unveil more truths about the extent of Pickton's horrific crimes.