Russell Williams (criminal)
Russell Williams | |
---|---|
Born | David Russell Williams March 7, 1963 Bromsgrove, England, UK |
Occupation(s) | Former wing commander of CFB Trenton and pilot |
Criminal status | Under sentence for life, currently incarcerated |
Spouse |
Mary Elizabeth Harriman
(m. 1991; div. 2014) |
Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment with a possibility of parole after 25 years |
Details | |
Victims | 86 known |
Span of crimes | 2007–2010 |
Country | Canada |
State(s) | Ontario (Province) |
Date apprehended | February 8, 2010 |
Imprisoned at | Port-Cartier Institution |
Military career | |
Allegiance | War in Afghanistan |
Awards |
|
David Russell Williams
In late January 2010, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) discovered evidence implicating Williams in the disappearance and death of Jessica Lloyd, and suspected links to two other crimes that had been committed in proximity to his previous home in Tweed, Ontario. On February 7, Williams was interrogated on video by OPP investigator Jim Smyth and confronted with the evidence of tire tracks and boot prints at Lloyd's house. Over the next ten hours, Williams gave a detailed confession of the sexual assault and murder of Lloyd. He also confessed to the sexual assault and murder of Corporal Marie-France Comeau, as well as at least two other cases initially.
Subsequent investigation into Williams brought further confessions and revealed evidence of detailed notes and photographs stored at his home. Evidence showed he had broken into at least 82 houses to steal women's and girls' underwear, which later escalated to sexual assaults and later still to the rapes and murders. Williams was charged with two counts of
On October 21, 2010, Williams was sentenced to two
From July 2009 until his arrest, Williams commanded
Early life and education
David Russell Williams was born in
While living in the Scarborough Bluffs area, Williams began high school at Birchmount Collegiate but finished at Upper Canada College (UCC). He delivered the Globe and Mail newspaper and learned to play the piano. By 1979, his family moved to South Korea, where Sovka was overseeing another reactor project. Williams completed his final two years of high school as a boarding student at UCC while his parents were in South Korea. In his final year in 1982, he was selected as a prefect for his boarding house.[11][14][15] Williams then studied economics and political science at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), where another notorious Canadian murderer, Paul Bernardo, was coincidentally two academic years ahead of him.[16] Williams graduated from UTSC with a Bachelor of Arts in 1986.[17] There, he engaged in pranks against his roommates, picking locked doors and hiding in rooms for hours to surprise the occupants.[18]
Military service
Williams joined the
Promoted to
Williams earned a Master of Defence Studies from the
Williams was posted to the Directorate of Air Requirements on July 21, 2006, where he served as project director for the Airlift Capability Projects Strategic (
On July 15, 2009, Williams was sworn in as the Wing Commander at CFB Trenton by the outgoing Wing Commander
Williams was regarded as a model military officer over the course of his 23-year career.
Criminal proceedings
Investigation leading to arrest
On January 28, 2010, Jessica Lloyd, aged 27, disappeared from her home in Belleville, Ontario. Investigators identified distinctive tire tracks left in the snow along the north tree line of her property, approximately 100 metres (330 ft) north of her home. One week after her disappearance, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted an extensive canvassing of all motorists using the highway near her home from 7:00 p.m. on February 4, 2010, to 6:00 a.m. the next morning, looking for the tire treads. Williams was driving his Nissan Pathfinder that day—rather than the BMW he usually drove—and an officer noticed the resemblance of his tire treads. These were subsequently matched to the treads near Lloyd's home.[15][21]
On February 7, 2010, Williams was at his newly built residence in the Ottawa suburb of
Interview and confession
At 3:00 p.m. on February 7, Williams was interrogated at police headquarters by OPP Detective Staff Sergeant James Smyth. By 7:45 p.m., after having been presented with the tire tread and shoe impression evidence linking him to Lloyd's disappearance, Williams began confessing to his crimes. He disclosed his role in dozens of crimes, including multiple acts of breaking and entering and sexual assault, in and around Tweed and Orleans, Ontario, at locations close to property owned by Williams and his wife. He also disclosed where police could find evidence hidden inside his Ottawa home, including hidden keepsakes, photographs taken of his victims and of himself posing in their underwear, video files of his assaults and murders, and other evidence.[32][33][34][35] Williams then identified on a map where he disposed of Lloyd's body, leading them to the location early the next morning.[14][21][36][37]
Charges
Along with the murder charges, Williams was charged with breaking and entering, forcible confinement and the sexual assault of two other women in connection with two separate home invasions near Tweed, which occurred in September 2009. According to reports, the women had been bound in their homes and Williams had taken photos of them.[21][36][38] He was also charged in the death of Corporal Marie-France Comeau, a 37-year-old military traffic technician based at CFB Trenton, who had been found dead inside her home in late November 2009.[14][21][37]
Williams was
Hours after the announcement of Williams' arrest, police services across the country reopened unsolved homicide cases involving young women in areas where he had previously been stationed. According to news reports, police began looking at other unsolved cases based on a full statement that Williams gave to police.[22][36][39] In addition to the four primary incidents, the investigation included probes into 48 cases of theft of women's underwear dating back to 2006. Inside his Ottawa home, police discovered stolen lingerie that was neatly stored, catalogued and concealed.[40] A week after Williams' arrest, investigators reported that, along with hidden keepsakes and other evidence found in his home, they had matched a print from one of the homicide scenes to his boot.[41]
In April 2010, Williams was placed on
Court proceedings and trial
Williams appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville via video link from the Quinte Detention Centre on July 22, 2010, where his next court appearance was set for August 26.[43] Again via video link, Williams waived his right to a preliminary inquiry and thus had his next appearance scheduled at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for October 7, 2010.[44] Williams' lawyer stated then that his client would plead guilty to all charges filed against him.[45]
On October 18, 2010, Williams pleaded guilty to all charges.[46] On the first day of Williams' trial and guilty plea, details emerged of other sexual assaults he committed, including that of a new mother who was woken with a blow to the head while she and her baby were asleep in her house.[47]
The first day of trial revealed that Williams also had pedophiliac tendencies, stealing underwear of girls as young as nine years old. He made 82 fetish-related home invasions and attempted break-ins between September 2007 and November 2009.[48]
Williams had progressed from break-ins, to sexual assaults with no penetration, to finally rape and murder. He had kept detailed track of police reports of the crimes he was committing, logged his crimes, kept photos and videos, and had even left notes and messages for his victims.[49] In a break-in into the bedroom of a 12-year-old girl, he left a message on her computer saying: "Merci" ("Thank you" in French). He had taken thousands of pictures of his crimes, and had kept the photos on his computer. Crown Attorney Robert Morrison presented numerous pictures of Williams dressed in the various pieces of underwear and bras he had stolen, frequently masturbating while lying on the beds of his victims.[48]
Some of the photos presented on the first day of his trial were published in several newspapers. As some newspapers explained, although troubling, the photos were published because they capture the essence of the crimes of Williams and show the true nature of his crimes. Among the news media that published some of the released photographs were
After his conviction the
After being returned to the Forces, his uniform was burned, his medals were cut into pieces, and his commission scroll (the instrument of his commission) was shredded, actions similar to the components of aWilliams was initially incarcerated at
On May 10, 2012, the
Personal life
On June 1, 1991, Williams married Mary Elizabeth Harriman, who is an associate director of the
The couple moved to
In December 2010, Williams' wife, Harriman, began the process of filing for divorce, together with a request to have any of her financial and medical information sealed by the court.[67] The divorce was not finalized until years later and Harriman's sealing request was denied in 2014.[68]
Media portrayals
Television
The Canadian investigative news program
The American investigative news programs
Season 4 of the documentary television series I Survived... (originally aired on September 30, 2012) featured one of Williams' victims recounting her story of Williams attacking her in her home.
In November 2017, Dutch film director Ramón Gieling released a documentary, Fatum (Room 216), that uses footage of Williams' 10-hour-long police interrogation.[69]
A television movie adaptation of the Williams case,
His Case is also featured on the Season 2, Episode 6, titled "Commander and Thief", from the Show,
Books
- Gibb, David A. (2011). Camouflage Killer: The Shocking Double Life of Colonel Russell Williams. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 978-0-425-25919-1.
J. K. Rowling has stated that the serial killer Dennis Creed in her novel Troubled Blood was based on Williams and Jerry Brudos.[73]
See also
- List of serial killers by country
- Sexual assault in the Canadian Forces
- Mitsero murders
- Ronald Gray
- Nidal Hasan
References
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- ^ "Air Force commander 'shocked' by colonel's arrest". Ctv.ca. February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- ^ "Bromsgrove-born serial killer hit with 82 new charges". Birmingham Mail. May 2, 2010. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ Appleby, Timothy (October 21, 2010). "Two life sentences for sex killer Williams' 'despicable crimes'". Toronto: globeandmail.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ "Russell Williams Case | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Email: Chief of Defence Staff to all Canadian Forces members, October 22, 2010 at 1:05 pm (EDT)
- ^ "Bill to end criminals' old-age benefits should include all pensions: critics". Nationalpost.com. Retrieved February 20, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ Canada (October 22, 2010). "Gov.-Gen. strips convicted murderer Russell Williams of his rank". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
- ^ a b The Canadian Press (November 19, 2010). "Williams military uniform burned". CBC News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
- ^ "Canadian military burns Russell Williams' uniform". BBC News. BBC. November 19, 2010.
- ^ a b McArthur, Greg (February 11, 2010). "Colonel Russell Williams is a man no one really knew". Toronto: Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
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- ^ a b c "Colonel led police to woman's body". Retrieved August 11, 2017.[dead link]
- ^ a b Aulakh, Raveena; Bruser, David; Daubs, Katie (February 13, 2010). "Life and times of Col. Russell Williams". thestar.com. Toronto. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ Fowles, Stacy May (November 11, 2013). "Boy Next Door". The Walrus. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ Aulakh, Raveena; Bruser, David; Daubs, Katie (February 13, 2010). "Life and times of Col. Russell Williams". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- The Fifth Estate(Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), September 24, 2010, Accessed August 12, 2017
- ^ "Biography: Russell Williams". CBC News. December 10, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Timeline: Col. Russell Williams". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Yang, Jennifer; Vyhnak, Carola; McLean, Jesse (February 9, 2010). "Trenton commander faces murder charges". Thestar.com. Toronto. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Forces in 'shock' over colonel's arrest". CBC. February 10, 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ a b "Accused colonel flew PMs, Queen". Canada.com. February 10, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010.[dead link]
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- ^ a b Friscolanti, Michael (February 8, 2010). "Col. Russell Williams' double life?". Maclean's. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
- ^ Gillies, Rob; Noronha, Charmaine (July 10, 2010). "Former queen's pilot to admit double life as killer, sex attacker and underwear thief". NBC News. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Colonel Williams' wife, under attack". Maclean's. July 27, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ "Police say no cold cases ruled out in Williams murder probe". Global Television Network. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ "Police comb colonel's home as family mourns woman". The Gazette (Montreal). February 12, 2010. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ Thorne, Stephen. "Murder suspect Williams flew Governor General, prime minister aboard Challenger". Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Unusual suspects". Ottawa Citizen. February 12, 2010. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian base commander accused of murder directed police to evidence". The Gazette. February 11, 2010. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
- The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
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- ^ "Murder probe eyes Ottawa home". cnews. February 9, 2010. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c Yang, Jennifer; Aulakh, Raveena (February 9, 2010). "Police revisit unsolved murders after Trenton commander's arrest". Thestar.com. Toronto. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ a b "Mourners gather for Jessica Lloyd". Cbc.ca. February 12, 2010. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ Barrera, Jorge; Dimmock, Gary (February 10, 2010). "Police to begin hunt for 'trophies' tied to rapes and murders". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Mourners gather for Jessica Lloyd". CBC.ca. CBC/Radio Canada. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ Appleby, Timothy (February 12, 2010). "Ontario women were asphyxiated, source says". Toronto: Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ Dimmock, Gary (February 14, 2010). "Ottawa police recover hidden keepsakes from home of military commander accused of murder". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
- ^ Tripp, Rob (April 4, 2010). "Jailed colonel attempts suicide". Kingston Whig Standard. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ "Col. Williams makes brief court appearance". CBC.CA. July 22, 2010. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ "Col. Russell Williams timeline". CBC News. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ "Canada air force commander to plead guilty to murders". BBC News. October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ Cobb, Chris (October 19, 2010). "Disgraced colonel grew increasingly brazen during descent into depravity, murder". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ Contenta, Sandro (October 18, 2010). "A harrowing account of a nighttime assault". The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ a b Contenta, Sandro (October 18, 2010). "The secret life of Col. Russell Williams exposed". The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ Jim Rankin and Sandro Contenta (October 18, 2010). "The secret life of Col. Russell Williams exposed". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ evidence photo, Court evidence photoSandro (October 18, 2010). "Col. Russell Williams trial: Warning: Evidence photos". The Gazette montrealgazette.com. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ evidence photo, Court evidence photo (October 21, 2010). "Photos: Williams fetish". The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ "Williams gets 2 life terms for 'despicable crimes'". CBC News. October 21, 2010. Archived from the original on October 24, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "Russell Williams stripped of colonel's rank". CBC News. October 22, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
- ^ "Russell Williams stripped of colonel rank". CTV News. October 22, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
- ^ The Canadian Press (November 29, 2010). "Russell Williams links with Forces being cut". CBC News. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
- ^ Canada (August 23, 2012). "Sex killer Russell Williams officially stripped of military rank". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
- ^ Steven Chase (October 22, 2010). "Gov.-Gen. strips convicted murderer Russell Williams of his rank". Ottawa: The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- ^ Hewitt, Pat (October 24, 2010). "Russell Williams enters a 'grim' existence in Kingston Penitentiary". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ Canoe inc. "Crime: Russell Williams moved to Quebec prison". Cnews.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - CTV.ca; published May 9, 2012; retrieved April 23, 2014
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- ^ Aulakh, Raveena (February 13, 2010). "Life and times of Col. Russell Williams". The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ "National Defence Department Williams biography" (PDF). Canadian Defence Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 15, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
- ^ "Russ Williams' profile: A distinguished military man". CTV News. February 9, 2010. Archived from the original on October 29, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Profile: Colonel Russ Williams charged with murders of Jessica Lloyd, Marie Comeau". National Post. Retrieved October 19, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Sherwin, Fred. "Colonel charged with murder has Orléans connection". Orléans Online. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Russell Williams' wife seeks divorce". CBC News Canada. December 22, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
- ^ Friscolanti, Michael (May 2, 2014). "Wife of serial killer Russell Williams loses court battle". Maclean's. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Kiang, Jessica (November 30, 2017). "Film Review: 'Fatum: Room 216'". Variety. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
- ^ M, Michele. "'Office Space' star in Russell Williams movie". Toronto Sun. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
- ^ Hendry, Luke (August 1, 2012). "Canadian network nixes Russell Williams movie". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
- ^ Green, Jeff (August 20, 2013). "Russell Williams drama An Officer and a Murderer makes delayed Canadian debut". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ O'Connor, Roisin (September 18, 2020). "JK Rowling says cross-dressing killer in new Strike novel is based on real-life murderers". The Independent. Retrieved September 19, 2020.