Senior military official faces first-degree murder charges in two separate Ontario slayings.

A senior military official faces first-degree murder charges in two separate Ontario slayings.

Forty-six-year-old Col. Russell Williams, the base commander of CFB Trenton was arrested Sunday.

“Williams is charged with the first degree murder of Jessica Lloyd, the first degree murder of Marie Comeau, and two other home invasions that occurred in September 2009 which occurred in the Tweed area,” said Detective-Inspector Chris Nicholas in a news conference Monday afternoon.

Hhas been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Jessica Lloyd, 27, of Belleville and Marie Comeau, a 38-year-old corporal with

Ontario Provincial Police confirmed Monday afternoon Col. Williams, of Tweed, Ont., north of Trenton, was arrested Sunday in Ottawa.

Jessica Lloyd was last heard from the night of Jan. 28 when she sent a text message to a friend. She was reported missing the next day after she failed to show up for her job with the Tri-Board Student Transportation Services in
Napanee.

Provincial police have confirmed Lloyd’s body was found, and a family friend says the family was notified last night.

Terra Dafoe, a friend of Lloyd, says she feels police didn’t do enough to warn women of a possible predator on the loose after two sex assaults in November.

She says she feels police failed women in the area by not providing the warning until after Lloyd disappeared 11 days ago.

At a news conference police said they issued an advisory last week about safety concerns for females living alone.

Cpl. Marie Comeau was found slain in her Brighton, Ont., residence on Nov. 25, 2009. The 38-year-old was a member of CFB Trenton’s 437 squadron.

Department of National Defence released a statement Monday extending its “deepest sympathies to the families affected by these tragic events.”

The statement, from Chief of the Air Staff Lt.-Gen. Andre Deschamps, says 1 Canadian Air Division in Winnipeg will do a review to determine “the most appropriate” action to take regarding Williams.

In light of the seriousness of the charges, Deschamps says an interim Wing Commander for 8 Wing Trenton will be appointed soon.

Col. Williams’ next court appearance is Feb 18. 

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