Murder on everyone's mind in Tweed

Posted By JANET RICHARDS and MARIL SWAN, QMI Agency
Posted February 8th, 2010


TWEED — The discovery of Jessica Lloyd's body near here was the topic of conversation virtually everywhere in the village Monday.

The picture and description of the 27-year-old who disappeared 10 days ago had been posted on lamp-posts in the village ever since her disappearance.

Reeve Jo-Anne Albert, who said she had never met Col Russ Williams, expressed the dismay of the residents of this quiet village.

"I watched the news conference," she said. "We're all very upset. My heart goes out to the families (of the victims)."

LCBO employee Lori Boldrick said she and her boyfriend had made the posters and had them photocopied at By The Way Coffee Shop and The Tweed News, both businesses having done the work for free.

"Tweed has been very supportive," said Boldrick, whose boyfriend is a close friend of Andy Lloyd, older brother of the victim.

At the local coffee shop, there was shock and sadness, especially at such a terrible conclusion to the search for Lloyd.

One man said he worked at the Trenton air base, but had never met the base commander who has been charged with Lloyd's murder. Shaking his head, he was incredulous that such a high-ranking officer could do such a thing.

"He was just installed last July," the man said.

Throughout Tweed, the reaction was sometimes angry, sometimes subdued, often relieved.

Vicky Chartrand was blunt. "I'm shocked. We just moved here in July. I will not walk my dog by myself even though they caught him. This is such a small town, it's awful, and him being commander at Trenton."

Greg Croucher said maybe the community can find some peace in the fact arrests have been made, despite the tragic results for the search for Lloyd.

"We've been concerned since the two break-ins in September because they never did catch anyone," said Croucher. "It's good there's a few incidents tied up now. And it shows it really can be anyone."

"I don't think you'd run into anyone today not talking about it," said resident Rick Lynch. "It's nice to see they finally have somebody pegged, we have to let the justice system play its part. We found out some locals were taken in for questioning) in respect to the incidents in Cosy Cove, it's nice to have their names cleared. There's been a lot of police presence the past couple of days. People have been nervous, but we're all happy to see some kind of closure for friends and family."

Names and reputations have been hurt here by suspicion, even for police having interviewed possible suspects. For some, it's time to heal.

Mike Vance said "it's nice to have some closure, as sad as it is for the family and friends. It's nice to see the police presence and how well they have worked together — city police, military police and OPP. It's good to clear the names of those who were involved beforehand and hopefully restore them. In a small town there is all kinds of talk. Deepest condolences to family and friends."

Still, some say they have been scarred by the experience.

"I don't feel safe in Tweed anymore,: said Sharrese McEwen. "I've lived here my whole life and I always thought Tweed was such a quiet little town we never used to lock our doors. Now I'm afraid to go out at night. The big topic of today is how people don't feel safe in Tweed knowing how things can escalate in such a short time. It's not right."