Russell Williams’ wife, Mary Elizabeth Harriman, initially stood by him but eventually filed for divorce after he was convicted of his crimes.
Russell Williams, a former Colonel in the Canadian Forces, was convicted in 2010 of a series of heinous crimes, including two murders, two sexual assaults, and numerous break-ins during which he stole women’s underwear. His wife, Mary Elizabeth Harriman, was reportedly unaware of his criminal activities. After Williams’ arrest and subsequent conviction, Harriman faced a difficult period, as she dealt with the shock and public scrutiny associated with her husband’s crimes.
Despite initially supporting Williams, Harriman eventually moved to sever ties with him. She filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2011. Harriman, who had been an associate executive director at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, faced lawsuits from the victims’ families, claiming she must have known about her husband’s behavior or that she had somehow benefited from it financially. However, there was no evidence to suggest Harriman had any knowledge of Williams’ activities, and she has maintained her innocence throughout the ordeal.
The aftermath of Williams’ conviction left Harriman with a shattered life, as she had to cope with the betrayal and the loss of the man she thought she knew. She has since kept a low profile, seeking to rebuild her life away from the public eye.
