An escaped murderer who police say is armed and extremely dangerous may be in British Columbia.
William Bicknell, who was serving time for the 2001 murder of Maple Ridge resident Angela Steer, was on a temporary absence pass from the Drumheller Institution northeast of Calgary when he performed a daring escape last week.
The 42-year-old held a Correctional Services employee hostage as they made their way to Edmonton last Thursday.
Police say Bicknell drove the van to a home north of the city, where he forced his way inside and stole another vehicle.
Before he left, Bicknell disconnected the telephone and threatened the men inside not to call police. He left the guard behind.
He stole several high-powered firearms and ammunition somewhere along the way, although police would not say how.
His sister, Sandra Lynn Myshak, is accused of helping her brother escape from custody. Police say Bicknell visited Myshak earlier in the day while he was on temporary absence pass. She is facing seven charges.
There have been unconfirmed sightings of Bicknell in Alberta and British Columbia.
The case
Bicknell was originally caught for murdering Steer when he confessed while talking to an undercover Mountie in a "Mr. Big" sting.
Bicknell told the officer that Steer was threatening to report his involvement with the marijuana trade to police, and that he dumped her body over an embankment in Mission, east of Vancouver.
At trial, the 6-6, 500 pound Bicknell argued he had acted in self-defence because Steer, who was 5-4 and 130 pounds, struck him first.
The judge, however, didn't buy it, convicting the much larger Bicknell of second-degree murder and handing him the mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for 10 years.
He has full tattoo sleeves on both arms. He has a unicorn on his shoulder and a heart on his chest.
He may be driving a 2009 grey Chevrolet Impala with licence plate number CXE 602.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
