18 October 2010 Last updated at 13:58 ET

Canada air force commander pleads guilty to murders

Col Russell Williams was one of the most senior commanders in Canada

The commander of Canada's largest air force base has pleaded guilty to the murder of two women and the sexual assault of two others.

Col Russell Williams once acted as pilot for Queen Elizabeth II and was in charge of Base Trenton in Ontario - Canada's busiest air force hub.

He also admitted a string of counts of breaking and entering. Prosecutors said he had stolen women's underwear.

He faces an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

One woman was found dead in her house in November 2009. The other went missing in January this year.

Williams was arrested on 7 February.

The murder victims were Marie Comeau, a 38-year-old corporal, who lived in Brighton, Ontario, and Jessica Lloyd, 27, a resident of Belleville, Ontario.

Stolen underwear

The colonel's arrest came after police canvassed motorists for information.

Belleville resident Jessica Lloyd was one of two women killed by Williams

Williams was accused of burgling 47 homes, starting in 2007. Most of the targeted homes were in the same street, with one home burgled nine times.

Police seized a hoard of women's underwear from Williams's home in Ottawa.

In an agreed statement of facts read to the court, the details of Williams's crimes were revealed.

"Given the seriousness of charges, it's important for the court to have a full account of the facts," said prosecutor Lee Burgess.

"These facts will be extremely disturbing."

Photographs - taken from Williams's computer and displayed in court - showed the killer wearing stolen underwear from victims. Some of the underwear belonged to young girls.

The underwear had been carefully stored in boxes and bags at the Ottawa home where Williams lived with his wife.

Wearing a dark suit and grey button-down shirt, Williams replied to each charge with "Guilty, your honour".

Prosecutors said only 17 victims had reported to police that their homes had been burgled, with details of 61 other burglaries only being revealed after Williams's arrest.

Most of the burglaries were at night and Williams may have worn military uniform in at least one.

A biography on the Canadian Air Force website said Williams had enrolled in the Canadian Air Force in 1987 and gained his wings in 1990.

The air force commander oversaw logistical support for missions to Haiti and Afghanistan.

"He was able to lead an elaborate double life and was able to keep it successfully concealed," said a senior officer who once promoted Williams, retired Lt-Gen Angus Watt.

BBC © MMX

link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news...a-11568074

more pics here: PICS

This has been a terribly difficult story in Southwestern Ontario for a while. I don't know much about the area where this occurred, but not long ago I passed through Tweed (where Williams dumped a body near his cottage) enroute to my friends' cottage nearby. The area struck me as so small, so sleepy. This must have turned their world absolutely upside-down.

A couple days ago there was a rally in Belleville, the site of William's conviction and the home of one murder victim. This all has been really tragic, but it was heartening to see the area community pull together in support of surviving families and the Canadian Air Force, which has taken on a lot of probably undue criticism around this story of late.

[Edited 10/23/10 12:35pm]

very sad and scary. unfortunately, i smell a movie and book deal in the works.

The sicko bastard has been stripped of his medals, rank, and has been officially booted out and on top of that they want his salary back from him.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/...:b38615046

CHIC0 said:

very sad and scary. unfortunately, i smell a movie and book deal in the works.

I don't.

JustErin said:

CHIC0 said:

very sad and scary. unfortunately, i smell a movie and book deal in the works.

I don't.

i hope you're right. it seems, usually, stories like this always end up being made into a movie (television) or book. it kind of screams "Silence of the Lambs" .

i can't even begin to imagine. nor do i want to.

CHIC0 said:

JustErin said:

I don't.

i hope you're right. it seems, usually, stories like this always end up being made into a movie (television) or book. it kind of screams "Silence of the Lambs" .

i can't even begin to imagine. nor do i want to.

There would certainly be an objection from the families involved and a public uproar making money off of this.

CHIC0 said:

JustErin said:

I don't.

i hope you're right. it seems, usually, stories like this always end up being made into a movie (television) or book. it kind of screams "Silence of the Lambs" .

i can't even begin to imagine. nor do i want to.

I can tell you that no Canadian producer will touch it.