EDMONTON — The family of one of Robert Pickton’s victims say they are upset not all her siblings were allowed to attend a memorial service for her in Edmonton.
Georgina Papin’s remains were returned to the family this week, nearly a decade after the 34-year-old vanished while working in the sex trade on the streets of Vancouver.
B.C. authorities had been keeping the remains to use as evidence in their case against Pickton, who was convicted of second-degree murder in the deaths of Papin and five other women.
Papin’s family held a wake for her Thursday at an Edmonton church, but three of her seven siblings could not attend because they are behind bars.
George, Rick and Tammy Papin are awaiting trial on various offences including, drug possession and assault with a weapon.
The family requested escorted passes but the request was turned down.
“I’ve been waiting 11 years to end this . . . it’s closure for me,” Rick Papin told CTV News in a phone interview from Edmonton’s Remand Centre. “Just to say goodbye.”
Papin’s older sister Cynthia Cardinal said the family should be together during such a difficult time.
“We should all be there, they want to be there,” she said. “They won’t let them come. They’re not going to go crazy, they just want to be there for their sister.”
Rick said he is still haunted by what happened to his sister.
“I can still picture what happened to her, the pig farm,” he said. “My mind, it just goes nuts sometimes.”
Photos and flowers along with the 34-year-old’s death certificate were on display in the church.
A second wake will be held Friday in Hobbema, followed by a funeral on Saturday.
“As far as complete closure, that’s not ever going to happen because of the upcoming public inquiry,” said Cynthia.
An inquiry was ordered by B.C.’s attorney general. The hearings will examine if mistakes were made in the investigations into the disappearance of dozens of women from Vancouver’s east side.
A date has not yet been set.