A senior military official faces a pair of first-degree murder charges in two separate Ontario slayings.
Police said Monday that Colonel Russell Williams, 46, of Tweed, Ont., has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jessica Lloyd, of Belleville, Ont., who went missing Jan. 28.
As well, he faces a second count of first-degree murder in the death of Marie Comeau, a Corporal with 437 Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
Col. Williams, who is a commander at CFB Trenton, also faces two counts of forcible confinement and two counts of break and enter and sexual assault.
Wearing a blue prison issued jumpsuit, Col. Williams made a three-minute appearance in a Belleville courtroom. He stated his name clearly, but answered quietly when asked if he understood the charges.
He will appear again by video on Feb 18.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Andre Deschamps, announced this afternoon that Col. Williams was being at least temporarily relieved of his duties as 8 Wing Commander at CFB Trenton.
“Although one is considered innocent until proven guilty, in light of the seriousness of the charges, and in consideration of the high level of responsibilities attached to the position of Wing Commander, an interim Wing Commander for 8 Wing Trenton will soon be appointed,” he said in a statement.
Lt.-Gen. Deschamps said that the air force would launch a review “to determine the most appropriate action to take regarding Colonel Williams pending the outcome of the trial.”
During a visit at 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Defence Minister Peter MacKay and General Walter J. Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, are pictured with Colonel Russ Williams (far right), Wing Commander of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, on Jan. 17, 2010. (Combat Camera)— Canadian Department of National Defence Photo
Early reports Monday suggested that Col. Williams's home in Tweed had been cordoned off while police searched the residence.
Police wouldn’t say whether the victims knew the suspect, and Detective-Inspector Chris Nicholas said the investigation isn’t over.
“We are certainly tracking the movements of where this man has been over the past several years, and we’re continuing on with our investigation,” Det.-Insp. Nicholas said.
News of Col. Williams' arrest has badly shaken staff at Department of National Defence headquarters in Ottawa.
“They’re in a state of shock – they’re stunned,” a Defence official told The Globe Monday.
“In the building, if you were to walk around – that’s all anybody is talking about. They’re all shaking their heads going ‘Huh?’”
Col. Williams was viewed as a “straight up, hard working air force guy,” the DND official said.
Up and down the main street of Belleville, a small city of 43,000 near CFB Trenton, sorrow mingled with utter disbelief at news of the charges.
“It’s a real shocker,” said security guard Don Atkins, bracing against a bitter wind outside City Hall.
“Nobody had any idea what happened to [Jessica Lloyd] until today.”
But many people already feared the worst, said Water-Systems manager Bob Leslie.
“It’s a bizarre story. Nothing like this has ever happened here before. I think many people had a gut feeling that this was a bad scenario.”
Mr. Leslie, his label bearing a yellow emblem in support of the armed forces, added that the tragedy could only bring “a great embarrassment” to CFB Trenton, which is routinely host to the return of bodies of soldiers slain in Afghanistan.
On the steps of the courthouse today, lifelong Belleville resident Janet Markwell cried as she explained that she didn't know Jessica Lloyd, but "felt I should be here anyway."
"To think someone so high-ranking could be accused of doing that to that precious girl is so sad."
