Hundreds Mourn Slain Belleville Woman At Saturday Funeral

Hundreds turned out in Belleville, Ont. Saturday for the funeral of an woman whose death has led to murder charges against a Canadian military officer.

Jessica Lloyd’s family described the 27-year-old as a vibrant young woman with a mind of her own during the service.

The Belleville woman’s body was discovered Sunday in the community of Tweed – she had been reported missing last month.

Shortly after her body was discovered, police announced first degree murder charges against Col. Russell Williams, considered a rising star in the Canadian military.

Williams is also charged with murder in connection with the slaying of a second woman – Cpl. Marie-France Comeau.

Williams is scheduled to next appear in court via video link Feb. 18 to face the charges that are unproven.

He’s also charged in connection with two sex assaults in the area.

Mourners at Saturday’s funeral remembered Lloyd as a country girl with a joy for life.

“She loved the beauty of an overnight frost in the countryside,” the Rev. Cathy Paul said during the service, which was played over speakers to people who couldn’t crowd inside the funeral home.

Lloyd loved hockey and music, her family said.

“You can’t cover Jess with one song” her cousin John Lloyd said

The case has sent shockwaves through the military community as well as the Belleville-area.

Williams was the commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton, the country’s largest.

He has been stationed in various communities across Canada as well as some international postings.

When he was posted in Ottawa in the 1990s, He flew one of four Canadian Forces Challenger jets for VIPs across Canada and around the world, including the Governor General and the prime minister.

Police say they don’t expect the release the cause of death of either Lloyd or Comeau, who served as a steward aboard the same military VIP flights that Williams piloted.

Comeau’s body was found near her home in Belleville last November.