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Pickton siblings drop lawsuit

The siblings of Port Coquitlam serial killer Robert Pickton have dropped their lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments for damage they said was to their property during the RCMP's search for missing women.

The siblings of Port Coquitlam serial killer Robert Pickton have dropped their lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments for damage they said was to their property during the RCMP's search for missing women.

The lawsuit was resolved earlier this month without a settlement or costs being assigned to any of the parties involved.

In early 2009, David Pickton and Linda Wright claimed in the suit they weren't compensated for damages to their properties at 953 Dominion Ave. and 2552 Burns Rd. in PoCo, including the destruction of buildings, vehicles and equipment as well as damage to landscaping.

"The RCMP has caused damage to the properties and damage to chattels belonging to the plaintiffs," the writ stated. "The RCMP demolished, removed, destroyed or rendered uninhabitable or useless, various buildings, residences, infrastructure, motor vehicles, stores, equipment, and machinery on the properties."

The siblings said they incurred "significant loss and damage" because of the investigation and, while they didn't have access to the properties once the investigation started in February 2002, they were responsible for maintaining the properties.

The seven-hectare farm's value has gone from a high of $6.3 million in 2007 to the latest assessment of $51,809. The Burns Road property is valued at $170,046.

Police spent nearly two years combing through the properties in search of evidence that would link Robert Pickton to the deaths of nearly 50 women who went missing from the Downtown Eastside.

Pickton was convicted in 2007 of murdering six women; murder charges for another 20 women did not go to trial.

spayne@tricitynews.com