Cops to add nine victims to B.C. case

By PETER SMITH, CALGARY SUN

Thursday, July 25, 2002

Friends of Vancouver's missing women who may be victims of a serial killer, say they aren't surprised police are about to raise the total of possible victims to 63.

The joint police task force who have spent months sifting through a Port Coquitlam pig-farm for the women's remains, now believe nine more missing women are part of their case.

Since they started digging up and sifting the pig farm, officers have charged pig farmer Robert Pickton, 52, with the first-degree murder of seven women.

They were all on the original list of 54 missing women, mostly drug addicts and prostitutes from Vancouver's red-light district, whose mysterious disappearances sparked the formation of the task force.

Later today, task force officers will reveal the identities of nine more women they fear are connected to the case.

"It is mind-blowing and unimaginable that the total of missing women might be up to 63, but it's not surprising," said Wayne Leng, whose close friend Sarah Devries is one of the original missing 54 women.

"Many of us have believed for a long time there are more missing women, so this is not surprising," said Leng.

"If it is shown that all the women met the same fate, this would make this the worst serial-killer case in the whole of North America," said Leng.

The task force plans to seek public assistance in trying to locate the nine women who are believed to be missing, but who are not yet on the list.

"It is possible the nine women will be officially added to the list if not located," said Task Force spokesman Det. Scott Driemel.

As the missing women investigation continues to expand, at least 80 officers backed up by 50 archeological students are expected to spend many more months sifting the pig farm and other properties owned by the pig farmer.

HUMAN REMAINS CONFIRMED

Investigators have confirmed finding human remains on the pig farm.

Pickton is charged with murdering Mona Wilson, 26; Sereena Abotsway, 29; Jacqueline McDonell, 23; Diane Rock, 34; Heather Bottomley, 25; Andrea Joesbury, 22 and Brenda Wolfe, 32. He's slated to appear for a preliminary hearing in November.