Colonel Charged with Murder

Josh Pringle
Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Canada's top soldier says military members are "shocked" the colonel in command of CFB Trenton has been charged with murder.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Walter Natynczyk says "this is a tough day for anyone in uniform."

Col. Russell Williams has been charged with first degree murder in connection with the deaths of Jessica Lloyd of Belleville and Corporal Marie France Comeau of CFB Trenton.

Williams is also charged with sexual assault and forcible confinement for alleged attacks on two other women during home invasions in Tweed last September.

Williams is a 46-year-old career member of the Canadian Forces and an elite pilot, who was pilot for the Prime Minister and Governor General across Canada and overseas in one of four Canadian Forces Challenger Jets.

The Colonel was appointed base commander at CFB Trenton last July.

The Department of National Defence issued a statement noting Williams is innocent until proven guilty. DND says in light of the "seriousness of the charges," an interim Wing Commander for 8 Wing Trenton will be appointed soon.

A review will be conducted by 1 Canadian Air Division in Winnipeg to determine the most appropriate action pending the outcome of the trial.

Commander of the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Yvan Bloudin told reporters "as far as I know from what I've seen from his file, he was just a shining bright star."

The body of Lloyd was found on Monday in Tweed, about 30 minutes north of Trenton. She was last heard from 11 days earlier. Comeau was a corporal with CFB Trenton's 437 squadron. She was found dead in her Brighton home on November 25th.