Canadian Forces
Commander charged
Biography: Col. Russell Williams
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 | 3:10 PM ET
CBC News
Col. Russell Williams, a high-ranking Canadian military commander who has met with senior politicians and been quoted extensively about the war in Afghanistan and the earthquake in Haiti, is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of two women from eastern Ontario.
Williams, of Tweed, Ont., commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton, was arrested Sunday, Feb. 7, in Ottawa and charged with the slayings of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38.
He was also charged with forcible confinement, breaking and entering, and sexual assault in relation to two home invasions in the Tweed area in September 2009. Here's a look at key points in Williams' 23-year military career:
Bio
Russell Williams was born on March 7, 1963, in the Midlands region of England. At a young age he moved to Chalk River, Ont. and later to a house near the Scarborough Bluffs east of downtown Toronto.
1978
Williams started high school at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute in 1978 and left in 1979. During this time he went by the name Russ Sovka. For his final two years of high school, he attended Upper Canada College, an elite private school in Toronto. In 1982, during his final year at UCC, his peers elected him as one of prefects in his boarding house.
1987
The precise date is still unclear, but he returned to using the surname Williams. During his undergraduate years, Williams began his pilot career and took flying lessons at Toronto's Buttonville airport. After graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in economics and political science, he joined the military in 1987.
1990
Williams earns his wings and is posted to 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, based in Portage La Prairie, Man., where he serves for two years as an instructor.
1992
Col. Russell Williams is facing two first-degree murder charges and two sexual assault charges. (Gerri Weatherbee/Northumberland Today) Williams is posted to 434 Combat Support Squadron in Shearwater, N.S., where he flies the CC-144 Challenger in the electronic warfare and coastal patrol role.
He is then posted to the 412 Transport Squadron in Ottawa, where he transports VIPs, including high-ranking government officials and foreign dignitaries, also on Challengers.
November 1999
Williams is promoted major and is posted to Director General Military Careers, where he serves as the multi-engine pilot career manager.
August 2003 to June 2004
Williams obtains a master's of defence studies from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont.
June 2004
Williams is promoted to lieutenant-colonel and appointed commanding officer of 437 Transport Squadron in Trenton, Ont., a post he held for two years.
December 2005 to June 2006
Williams is the commanding officer at Camp Mirage, the Canadian Forces forward logistics base that's not officially acknowledged by the government or military but has been widely reported to be near Dubai.
July 2006
Williams is posted to the Directorate of Air Requirements, where he served as project director for the Airlift Capability Projects Strategic (CC177 Globemaster III) and Tactical (CC130J Hercules J), and Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue.
January 2009
Williams is posted to the Canadian Forces Language School in Gatineau, Que., for six months of French-language training, during which he is promoted colonel.
July 15, 2009
Williams succeeds Col. Mike Hood as commanding officer at CFB Trenton.
Dec. 11, 2009
Williams welcomes the Olympic torch when it stops in Trenton. " It's very exciting to be a part of this," he says.
As 8 Wing Commander, Williams took part in a number of public appearance. In the fall of 2009 he was on hand when the Belleville Bulls hockey team dedicated its 2009-2010 season to the men, women and families of 8 Wing Trenton.
Jan. 30, 2010
Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38, left, was slain Nov. 25, 2009. The body of Jessica Lloyd, 27, right, was found by police on Feb. 8. (Canadian Press) Williams is interviewed about 8 Wing's participation in Haiti relief. He says that in addition to Haiti, 8 Wing co-ordinates the resupply for Canada's mission in Afghanistan and air support for the Vancouver Olympics, which has a significant military presence.
Feb. 7
Williams is arrested in Ottawa and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38.
He is also charged with two sexual assaults that happened in Tweed in September.
Feb. 18
Williams appears via video link in Belleville, Ont., before a packed courtroom. Williams has hired Ottawa criminal defence lawyer Michael Edelson, who has represented many other high-profile clients, including Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 25.
Additional information
According to Williams's DND profile, he is a keen photographer, fisherman, musician and runner. He and his wife, Mary-Elizabeth Harriman, have homes in Tweed, Ont., which is about 60 kilometres northeast of CFB Trenton, and a house in Ottawa, which was being renovated at the time of his arrest.
