Robert Pickton: Book by Canadian serial killer removed from Amazon

A book by Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton was withdrawn hours after going on sale. Officials have vowed to introduce legislation preventing criminals profiting from their crimes.

Pig farmer and former multimillionaire Pickton was convicted in 2007 of killing six women. A further 20 murder charges were suspended.

CTV reported that the manuscript was smuggled from prison by another inmate. Entitled Pickton: In His Own Words, the book was available for C$20.17 (£10.39).

Amazon has removed the book from its listings, and Outskirts Press, a Colorado based self-publishing service provider said it was discontinuing publication of the text.

The book's author was listed as Michael Chilldres, but the publishers said Pickton used him as a means of getting the manuscript out of jail and publishing it.

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said that the province would look at ways to bar criminals from profiting from their crimes.

"To think about the pain that he's prepared to willingly cause all of the families," said Clark. "What kind of a twisted person would still not understand how hard it is for the family to endure all that again?"

Officials asked retailers Amazon to withdraw the book from sale. On Tuesday, 23 February, the book was no longer listed for sale on the site, though the company has yet to make a public statement on the book.

Pickton is currently serving multiple life sentences at the maximum security Kent Institution near Agassiz, BC.