From: jcs
David Russell Williams enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1987 [00:00:00]. By January 1, 1991, he was promoted to captain [00:00:05], a rank that meant he would be addressed as “sir” by his subordinates and “captain Williams” by his superiors [00:00:10].
Rise Through the Ranks
Described as an elite pilot and a “shining bright star” of the military [00:00:14], Williams quickly ascended through the ranks [00:00:19]. In June 2004, he was promoted to colonel [00:00:21].
Commanding Officer at CFB Trenton
Simultaneously with his promotion to colonel, he was appointed the commanding officer at CFB Trenton [00:00:24], which is Canada’s largest air force base [00:00:28]. In this role, he commanded over 7,000 military personnel, all of whom referred to him as “colonel” or “colonel Williams” without exception [00:00:30].
Psychosocial Impact of Rank
His designated title of colonel afforded him extensive psychosocial equanimity and confidence, extending beyond his work life [00:00:41]. His title was printed on all forms of identification, and every formal encounter, including with doctors, lawyers, or police officers, would reinforce his military standing, boosting his composure and self-assurance [00:00:47].
This elevated social standing and military achievements were accentuated for all to see [00:01:07]. However, this changed on the day he met Detective Sergeant Jim Smith [00:01:12].
Interrogation as Prime Suspect
Williams was stopped by police at approximately 7:30 p.m. on February 4th, 2010, at a roadblock set up during the search for Jessica Lloyd [00:03:37]. His SUV’s tire tracks matched those found near Lloyd’s house, leading to him being placed under police surveillance [00:03:54]. On Sunday, February 7th, he received a call from police headquarters in Ottawa, requesting his presence for questioning related to an ongoing investigation [00:04:04]. He agreed to go immediately, telling his wife he would be back for dinner [00:04:15].
Upon arrival at the headquarters before 3 p.m., he was greeted by Detective Sergeant Jim Smith, a trained polygraph technician and senior investigator [00:04:24]. During the interrogation, Detective Smith purposefully refrained from addressing Williams by his formal military title, instead using his first name, “Russell” [00:05:05]. This tactic was used to strip away Williams’s confidence, aiming to increase signs of discomposure and decrease cognitive stamina [00:05:11].
During the interrogation, Williams was identified as the prime suspect in a series of crimes, including the disappearance of Jessica Lloyd, the murder of Marie France Como, and other break-ins, rapes, and forcible confinements [00:08:00]. He eventually confessed to these acts during the interrogation [00:34:06].