Russell Williams, a former Colonel in the Canadian Forces, was convicted of murder, sexual assault, and numerous break-ins in 2010. He is currently serving two life sentences in prison.
Williams was once a respected military figure, having served as the commanding officer of Canadian Forces Base Trenton, one of Canada’s largest military airbases. His fall from grace began in 2010 when police connected evidence from a string of burglaries, sexual assaults, and two murders to Williams.
The investigation revealed that Williams had a double life. He meticulously documented his crimes, which included breaking into women’s homes to steal lingerie, as well as the sexual assaults and murders of Corporal Marie-France Comeau, a military flight attendant, and Jessica Lloyd, a civilian. His arrest and subsequent confession shocked the nation, particularly because of his high-ranking position and the trust placed in him as a member of the military.
During his trial, Williams pleaded guilty to all charges, which included two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of sexual assault, and 82 counts of breaking and entering. The evidence against him was overwhelming, not least because of the photographs he took of himself committing the crimes and the detailed journals he kept.
Williams was stripped of his rank, and his uniform was burned. He was also dismissed from the Canadian Forces with a dishonorable discharge. His case prompted a review of how the military handles such situations and the psychological assessment of its officers. Williams is incarcerated at the Port-Cartier Prison in Quebec, where he is serving his life sentences without the possibility of parole for 25 years.
