The effort to bring justice for victims of serial killer Robert “Willie” Pickton is being led by a team of female researchers, including developmental psychologist Sasha Reid. Pickton, who confessed to 49 murders, was only prosecuted for the deaths of six women, sparking outrage from families seeking justice for other victims, many of whom were Indigenous women. When Canadian police requested to destroy or return items collected from Pickton’s pig farm, Reid formed a civilian research team to reexamine the case and potentially prove that Pickton did not act alone.
The team’s work is the focus of a docuseries called “Sasha Reid & The Midnight Order” premiering on Freeform. In the series, Reid and her team, including Anjali Arora, Marina Jarenova, Ayah Ellithy, Florence Tang, Hana Georgoulis, and Hasti Pourriahi, investigate the case with the goal of seeking justice for the victims and their families.
In 2005, Pickton was charged with the murders of 27 women but was only prosecuted for six confirmed victims due to various legal challenges. The case highlighted the systemic issues surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, with many going unnoticed or ignored by law enforcement.
Despite Pickton’s conviction in 2007, questions remain about the extent of his crimes and potential involvement of others. The team led by Sasha Reid is committed to uncovering the truth and providing closure to the families of the victims. They continue to update databases on serial killers and missing persons, analyzing patterns and identifying unsolved cases.
The recent developments in the Pickton case, including his death in prison and the destruction of evidence, have retraumatized the families of the victims. Reid and her team are working tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that the voices of those affected are heard. By investigating cold cases and advocating for victims, they hope to bring closure and healing to those who have suffered for too long.