# The Absolutely F'd-Up, Weird-Ass, Sick and Horrible Case of Colonel Russell Williams **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 9, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225 "2010-02-09T02:44:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/21 "2010-02-10T22:36:54Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Bizarre. I mean, I presume the Canadians do background checks on people before they reach this level of responsibility. This guy must have covered his trail very carefully. > > What’s particularly striking about this is that, if any military can be warm and fuzzy, I’d always thought the Canadians had that military. No ding on their fighting abilities - the opposite, in fact. But the Canadians have long prided themselves, I thought, on their role as peacekeepers on UN missions - very difficult, demanding, and deeply humanitarian work. Seems an odd role for a sociopath. Thinking about it, it’s a perfect role for a sociopath who has extraordinary skills. A position of responsibility and respect makes the best cover. ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/22 "2010-02-10T22:37:18Z")
It’s unbelievable, is what it is. TO think how well he must have covered his tracks–and he must have had background checks and security clearances in one ear and out the other. According to the newspaper this morning, he’s being suspected for crimes as far back as 1992. His home in Ottawa is being searched for evidence. It’s freaky as all get-out. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/23 "2010-02-11T01:25:56Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > Seems likely, given that he has allegedly confessed. Has he really confessed? It’s still sketchy. Could he have confessed to some break-ins and that’s all? I’m not convinced he would throw everything away so immediately without a fight. Guys like this tend to deflect blame and try to play down important evidence as purely circumstantial. ETA: Sure my tire tracks were there. I live in the area and while I was out taking some nature photographs I must have turned around in that driveway… etc. You know the story. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/24 "2010-02-11T01:47:49Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > This is scary, and that really is a valid question – When did he find the time?.. A good commander knows how to delegate. > [@Malthus](#): > > Thinking about it, it’s a perfect role for a sociopath who has extraordinary skills. A position of responsibility and respect makes the best cover. Plus as a military commander, he might have an opportunity ot order the deaths of others. He might REALLY get off on that. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/25 "2010-02-11T05:48:56Z")
This story completely stunned me. Like others, “commanding officer” and “murderer/rapist” just don’t go together. Plus, you know, it’s _Canada._ I thought this kind of thing… Well, other than Willy Picton… and Paul Bernardo… and Clifford Olson… It’s a terrible story, at any rate. Just shocking. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/26 "2010-02-11T06:36:52Z")
Most serial killers are dysfunctional in one way or another although some lead pretty average lives while killing. This guy is way up in the social pecking order to be doing something like this if the charges are true. [This guy held down a job](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Rader) although he had issues. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/27 "2010-02-11T06:40:30Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > A good commander knows how to delegate. > > Plus as a military commander, he might have an opportunity to order the deaths of others. He might REALLY get off on that. The problem is that real sociopaths are rarely keep their dysfunction contained in neat little boxes, and are generally dysfunctional enough to keep them from advancing socially and professionally into top level jobs. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/28 "2010-02-11T06:48:48Z")
[This story says he has confessed](http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/news10268.html) > [@](#): > > A CANADIAN military base commander charged with murdering two women and sexually assaulting two others confessed to the crimes and about four dozen “lingerie break-ins”. > > Citing unnamed sources, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that Colonel Russell Williams gave police a lengthy and wide-ranging statement on the sexually driven home invasions after his arrest on Sunday. > > He also allegedly guided detectives to the body of his latest victim hidden in the woods near his home in Tweed, Ontario. According to the newspaper, the officer’s statements to police were delivered in an “almost business-like fashion”. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/29 "2010-02-11T07:01:44Z")
> [@Savannah](#): > > This story completely stunned me. Like others, “commanding officer” and “murderer/rapist” just don’t go together. Plus, you know, it’s _Canada._ I thought this kind of thing… Well, other than Willy Picton… and Paul Bernardo… and Clifford Olson… > > It’s a terrible story, at any rate. Just shocking. And the Greyhound Decapitator… ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/30 "2010-02-11T07:31:38Z")
I thought Canadians were supposed to be polite. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/31 "2010-02-11T08:24:34Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > Thinking about it, it’s a perfect role for a sociopath who has extraordinary skills. A position of responsibility and respect makes the best cover. Just look at this thread. > [@](#): > > “Unbelievable” > > “Bizarre” > > “Truly, the last person one would suspect. If it was a movie, I’d not believe it.” What better cover, if you can pull it off, than playing a role where the reaction of everyone to your crimes is incredulity? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/32 "2010-02-11T13:30:43Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > I thought Canadians were supposed to be polite. It appears that he _is_ polite. Bizarre story. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/33 "2010-02-11T13:35:16Z")
Hoo boy. [Here](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/colonel-russell-williams-is-a-man-no-one-really-knew/article1463964/) we go. This was almost predictable: divorced parents, alienation… > [@](#): > > If there was ever a childhood to prepare someone for the transient existence of an Air Force colonel, Russell Williams lived it - a meandering journey that saw him twice change his last name, and took him from England to barren northeastern Ontario to Canada’s most prestigious boys’ school. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/34 "2010-02-11T14:21:59Z")
There are two types of [serial killers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_killer#Organized.2Fnonsocial_offenders): organized and disorganized. Most people think of disorganized when they hear the term, but the organized are far more deadly. Ann Rule was a former police woman and a true crime writer. She knew about criminals. Yet she never recognized that her friend Ted Bundy was a serial killer until he was arrested. He was truly “The Stranger Beside Me.” Williams is obviously an extremely organized serial killer. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/35 "2010-02-11T14:34:45Z")
Police are hinting at the fact his computer is chock-full of photos related to his alleged crimes. Add that to the apparent confession (which I assume led police to find the second woman’s body, given that Williams was arrested Sunday night, while the body was found on Monday), and it seems like there’s no question Williams is guilty. Seems to me like he had the perfect lifestyle for a serial killer - plausible excuses for taking off in the middle of the night or disappearing for a few hours at a time if his family got suspicious, never living in the same place for more than a few years at a time, uniform and military title to lend him an appearance of trustworthiness. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/36 "2010-02-11T14:46:46Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > And the Greyhound Decapitator… And Marc Lepine, and the Boyd Gang… Leaffan’s link leads to a story in today’s Globe and Mail, which tells me that he may have been a classmate of mine: Apparently, we both studied at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus at about the same time. I certainly remember the rapes that the news story mentions as occurring on campus. I don’t recall a “Russ Williams” or a “Russ Sovka” in particular, but you can’t know everybody, and it’s possible that he was a classmate in a large lecture, or the guy holding up the cafeteria line. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/37 "2010-02-11T14:47:20Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > What better cover, if you can pull it off, than playing a role where the reaction of everyone to your crimes is incredulity? Exactly right. The truly amazing thing is that he was able to hide his sociopathic urges and acts so as to fool everyone for so long - I imagine high ranking military officers are subjected to far more invasive official scrutiny than almost anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/38 "2010-02-11T15:48:48Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > And Marc Lepine, and the Boyd Gang… > > Leaffan’s link leads to a story in today’s Globe and Mail, which tells me that he may have been a classmate of mine: Apparently, we both studied at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus at about the same time. I certainly remember the rapes that the news story mentions as occurring on campus. I don’t recall a “Russ Williams” or a “Russ Sovka” in particular, but you can’t know everybody, and it’s possible that he was a classmate in a large lecture, or the guy holding up the cafeteria line. And his dad used to work in the facility in Eastern Ontario that I’m at right now. I’m sure I’m going to hear some gasps from some of the old-timers soon. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/39 "2010-02-11T16:12:35Z")
I’m convinced that the dysfunctional ones are just the Psychopaths we find out about. I think there are a lot more of them out there undetected. If you are interested, “The Sociopath Next Door” is a great book. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225/40 "2010-02-11T21:16:00Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > But yes, here in Ontario this is definitely a contender for crime of the decade. We have a prize for this? I wonder what the trophy looks like. **Astro** Your source saying he confessed is citing unnamed sources as reported in “the Toronto Globe and Mail”. There is no _Toronto Globe and Mail_. There are the _Toronto Star_ and _Toronto Sun_ and there is a national newspaper _The Globe and Mail_. I’m not seeing anything about a confession on any of their websites and that would be major headline news. ETA: The CBC however, is reporting that he has led police to a body. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolutely-fd-up-weird-ass-sick-and-horrible-case-of-colonel-russell-williams/528225.md?page=3)