Colonel’s arrest shocks Air Force commander

Families of two women recently mudered near Belleville, Ont., have had the commander of Canada’s Air Force’s sympathy. The commander couldn’t believe though that a colonel under his authority has been charged with their murders.

“Their families have our deepest sympathy, as we ourselves mourn,” Maj. Gen. Yvan Blondin told reporters at a news conference Monday.

Murder cases were charged against 46-year-old Col. Russell Williams on Monday. It was indicated that the colonel has had sexually assaulted another two aside from the two women he has murdered.

Bellville resident Jessica Lloyd, 27, went missing on Jan. 28. Her body was discovered on Monday. Marie Comeau, a corporal at CFB Trenton who lived in Brighton, Ont., was found dead in her home in late November.

Williams, the accused murderer and who also stands responsible for breaking into the homes of two other women and sexually abused them, finally arrested in Ottawa last Sunday.

On Monday he was taken to a Belleville courthouse, wearing a blue prison suit as well as hand and leg shackles. He told the court he understood the charges that were laid against him.

Williams was then remanded to police custody until his next court appearance, which will take place by video on Feb. 18.

“We’re shocked by the connection to a leader in our Air Force,” Blondin said, adding that he could not comment on any aspect of the investigation.

Williams’ responsibility will be assumed by an appointed interim base commander to continue carrying out their mission which includes airlifts to and from Haiti and Afghanistan..

Manhunt and search operations were conducted by the police within the perimeters of Williams’ home in Tweed, Ont., which streched a distance of about 30 kilometers north of Belleville. Trenton is about 18 km west of Belleville, and Brighton is about 15 km west of Trenton.

The suspect came to the attention of police following a Highway 37 roadside canvass on Thursday (Highway 37 runs from Belleville to Tweed). The investigation involved the OPP, Belleville Police and investigators from the Canadian Forces.

Det. Insp. Chris Nicholas told the news conference that the investigation caused police to examine other incidents in the surrounding area, including recent home invasions.

“Due to the seriousness of those incidents, the police linked the crimes to a single suspect,” he said.

Police announced that Williams has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder along with two counts of forcible confinement and two counts of break and enter and sexual assault.

Colonel Russ Williams enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1987 after having obtained a degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto. He received his Wings in 1990 and was posted to 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School where he served for two years as an instructor on the CT134 Beech Musketeer, during which time he earned an A2 instructional category and had the opportunity to fly with the last iteration of the Musket Gold.

In 1992 Colonel Williams was posted to 434 (Combat Support) Squadron in Shearwater where he flew the CC144 Challenger in the electronic warfare / coastal patrol role. He was subsequently posted to 412 (Transport) Squadron in Ottawa where he continued to fly the Challenger, this time in the VIP transport role. Promoted Major in November 1999 he was posted to Director General Military Careers where he served as the multi-engine pilot career manager.