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Trenton Base Commander Charged with Murder-Investigation Expands
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by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | February 8, 2010 at 12:33 pm
2063 views | 48 Recommendations | 21 comments
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Colonel Russ Williams, Base Commander (Commander 8 Wing), Canadian Forces Base Trenton, has been charged with two counts of murder.
Williams has been charged with the murders of Jessica Lloyd, 27, who went missing on January 29th and also the murder of Corporal Marie France Comeau, 38, who was found murdered near Brighton, Ontario on November 25th.
Russell has also been charged with two sexual assaults dating back to September.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was called in to assist in the investigation and a roadside canvas apparently led the investigation to Colonel Russell.
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Russell was arrested Sunday night.
The Chief of Air Staff (Commander of Canadian Air Force) stated that he was aware of the situation. In a statement released earlier he said all charges against military personnel are taken seriously.
Although persons are considered innocent until proven guilty, in view of the seriousness of the charges, an interim Base Commander will be appointed for 8 Wing Trenton.
Colonel Williams's homes will be searched today. He has been remanded to custody until a video court appearance on February 18th.
Investigation Expands to Open Cold Cases Across the Country
Investigators are expanding their investigation to look at cold cases as far back as the early 90s, when Colonel Russell Williams was stationed in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.
One specific case is the murder of a Nova Scotia woman, Kathleen MacVicar. MacVicar was murdered near Trenton in 2001.
Colonel Williams' Career Path
Colonel Williams had a degree in Political Science and Economics before joining the military. He seems to have been on a clearly charted career path. He joined the military in 1987.
In 1992 he was posted to Shearwater, Nova Scotia. He flew the CC 144 Challenger Jet and patrolled the East coast.
In 1996 he was posted to Ottawa where he flew the CC144 Challenger, VIP aircraft for the Governor General , Prime Minister and senior ministers of the Canadian government.
In 2004 he received a Masters degree in Defence Studies at Royal Military College.
He did a stint at National Defence Headquarters responsible for career management for pilots. This is a fairly big job that entails assignments, promotions and professional training of individuals.
He commanded Forward Operational Base Mirage, which resupplies Afghanistan.
While at another tour at National Defence Headquarters he was responsible for the purchase of Heavy Lift Helicopters and C7 Cargo Aircraft.
2009 becomes Wing Commander of CFB Trenton.
Recently he was responsible for deployment to Haiti and the dispatch of the DART team which were under his command in Trenton.
Police said Williams has also been charged with two counts of forcible confinement and two counts of break and enter and sexual assault in connection with two sexual assaults of two Tweed women back in September.
Williams was arrested Sunday in Ottawa.
Police told reporters in Belleville today that a roadside canvas on Feb. 4, brought Williams to their attention.
Lloyd, 27, went missing Jan. 29. after she failed to show up for her job with Tri-Board Student Transportation Services in Napanee. The last time anyone heard from Lloyd was the night before when she sent a text message to a friend.
Her body was found early Monday morning off Cary Rd. near Tweed.
Last week, friends of Lloyd started distributing vehicle decals with photos of her, as well as her description and contact information for police.
Comeau, 38, was found murdered in Brighton, Ont., on Nov. 25, 2009. She was a member of 437 Squadron at CFB Trenton.
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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (21)
at 16:09 on February 8th, 2010
wow that is surprising hope its not true
at 16:12 on February 8th, 2010
Seems to be true and the lead story in Canada.
at 16:40 on February 8th, 2010
Sad news
at 16:46 on February 8th, 2010
Seems they are now in the process of checking cold cases in every case he has lived. For the sake of his wife and family I hope it ends here. This is indeed sad news.
at 18:00 on February 8th, 2010
Well as they say innocent until proven guilty.
at 18:22 on February 8th, 2010
Very true Elvis:). Thanks for commenting.
at 18:39 on February 8th, 2010
people are people ........innocent until proven guilty but if they have two surviving victims who can identify him.......
at 18:50 on February 8th, 2010
I agree that the evidence had to be overwhelming to arrest a Base Commander. They are checking all the places where he lived previously. We have all seen people that hide behind their position or status and the superior sometimes are in denial and overlook obvious signs.
As a Base Commander, with your immediate boss in Winnipeg, who is going to question what you do?
at 03:02 on February 9th, 2010
I agree jazzy, I hope that he is not linked to many more.
at 05:00 on February 9th, 2010
My daughter was just in Trenton before flying to Haiti to help. I am so outraged and disgusted, I think he should be executed, he was in a position of trust and authority, like those ( many, it seems ) perverted priests are, and I would kill him myself if I could. Killing is too good for him, imagine what they went through.
at 05:18 on February 9th, 2010
Having been in the military myself for 35 years, I feel just as appalled as you do. Based on the information being released by police authorities now, there is a possibility that there could be more. This is certainly sad and my thoughts are with the families of the two women that were killed and the military personnel that must feel betrayed, particularly the staff and municipalities that worked with this guy since last July.
I sincerely hope that the military starts taking a closer look at some members. I worked with a senior officer in the early 90s who had several complaints of abuse of power and harassment against him. They whitewashed it at the time just to have it bite them in the butt later on.
I sincerely hope that this never happened here. In any case to the leadership of the CF take harassment complaints seriously. Where there is smoke there is fire.
at 06:20 on February 9th, 2010
What he did is disgusting. He is a very sick individual. They would not have charged him unless they had enought evidence. RIP Jessixa and
at 06:37 on February 9th, 2010
MacDonso thank you for you comments. I tend to agree that they have evidence to justify the charges and make the arrest.
at 08:59 on February 9th, 2010
My respect to you Karl. You do report objectively even when the news is bad on the home front. Great job.
at 08:59 on February 9th, 2010
Thank you Uwe for the compliment. I appreciate it coming from you.
at 09:50 on February 9th, 2010
Excellent work, Karl. It is always shocking and saddening when things of this nature lead back to a person of considerable achievement and accomplishment. Thank you for reporting in so balanced and measured a manner, considering your own prestigious career in the Canadian Airborne Forces.
at 09:55 on February 9th, 2010
Thank you kindly for your kind words Susan:), much appreciated.
at 11:44 on February 10th, 2010
This guy's story seems to begin after graduation from U of T - where did he come from prior to university?
at 15:07 on February 10th, 2010
I have checked the web for additional information, your are quite right his official DND profile starts with his degree in Toronto as well. There is no information on where he was born or where he grew up. It says though that he is an avid golfer and photographer.
at 04:11 on February 14th, 2010
To me this proves one thing: all the psychological testing and evaluation in the world isn't going to tell you anything a smart person doesn't want you to know. How much professional scrutiny does a person like him have to go through in his career?
And yeah, I second Uwe for your even-handed reporting. I did wonder if you'd post this... didn't disappoint!
at 06:41 on February 14th, 2010
Thank you for your comments hidflect. There is a lot of scrutiny but people do fall between the cracks. I have seen some covered up, although not as extreme a case as this one. I am waiting to see the results of an investigation now. It seems there may have been an incident with panties being stolen in 2006 and maybe that should have been a warning sign. Let's see how this plays out.