Canada Military Bombshell: Russell Williams, Top Commander, Charged With Murdering Two Women
Photo: Col. Russell Williams.
But Williams' reputation is under assault from bombshell allegations that he murdered two women, and sexually assaulted two others. The charges, filed Monday, have rocked Canada's military to the core.
The 46-year-old Williams was arrested Sunday in Ottawa, and charged with the first-degree murder of Jessica Lloyd, 27, of Belleville, Ontario, and Marie Comeau, a 38-year-old corporal found dead in her Brighton, Ontario, home last November. She served at the base Williams commanded.
Williams is also charged with forcible confinement, breaking and entering and sexual assault after two women were attacked during home invasions in the Tweed, Ontario area in September of 2009.
Williams, who has been relieved of his duties, appeared in court bound by hand and leg shackles Monday afternoon, and wearing a blue prison-issue jumpsuit and booties.
A spokesman for Defense Minister Peter MacKay, called the charges serious but said MacKay will not comment.
Williams was appointed commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario last July. Trenton, the country's largest air force installation, is providing logistical support for Canada's missions in Haiti and Afghanistan.
Between December 2005 and June 2006, Williams was the commanding officer for Camp Mirage, the secretive Canadian Forces forward logistics base that is not officially acknowledged by the government or military but has been widely reported to be near Dubai.
"We are certainly tracking the movements of where this man has been over the past several years and we're continuing with our investigation," said Det.-Insp. Chris Nicolas, of the Ontario provincial police.
Williams' Defense Department biography said he is married.