In this episode of Unlawful Acts, we examine the case of Russell Williams, a man trusted with national security, elite power, and absolute authority — who was living a violent double life in plain sight.
Known publicly as “The Base Commander,” Williams was a decorated colonel in the Canadian Air Force, commanding one of the country’s most important military bases. Privately, he was committing a series of escalating crimes fueled by control, secrecy, and compulsion — burglaries, sexual violence, and murder — all while maintaining the image of discipline and honor.
This episode traces how unchecked authority, entitlement, and secrecy allowed Williams to operate undetected, how investigators finally connected the dots, and why his calm demeanor during interrogation remains one of the most chilling aspects of the case.
Unlawful Acts explores not just what he did — but how someone so trusted was able to become so dangerous, and what this case reveals about power, blind spots, and the lies we accept when someone wears a uniform.
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