Victim's body found near Tweed

By DON PEAT, Toronto Sun

Last Updated: 8th February 2010, 8:32pm



The family of Jessica Lloyd was always optimistic they’d find her — and find her alive.

As they searched desperately for the 27-year-old in recent days, Lloyd’s brother Andy told the Toronto Sun that the family was “very hopeful” they’d find her safe and be able to hug her again.

Early Monday, those hopes were dashed when police found Lloyd’s body — 11 days after she vanished — off an isolated road outside of Tweed.

In the wake of the grisly discovery and the arrest of Lloyd’s alleged killer, Col. Russ Williams, the base commander at CFB Trenton, her mother and her brother offered their “heartfelt thanks” to police.

In a now bizarre twist, the CFB Trenton Search and Rescue Unit — dispatched from the very same base commanded by her alleged killer — helped Belleville Police and the OPP conduct aerial searches for any signs of the missing woman.

The family also asked for privacy as they move from fearing the worst to living through the worst.

“We would like to thank all of our family and friends and co-workers for their unwavering love and support over the past 11 days,” the grieving relatives said in a statement read by Belleville Police Chief Cory McMullan. “Thanks to everyone who helped search for Jessica and to those who created and printed the banners, posters and flyers — and to all family and friends who distributed them.”

Relatives described Lloyd as a “lovely and friendly person,” who was “very social” with “a lot of friends,” and worked at Tri-Board Student Transportation Services.

When Lloyd first disappeared from her Hwy. 37 home, just north of Harmony Rd., her brother maintained she would not go away without letting her family know about her whereabouts.

Her last words were sent in a text message to a friend late Jan. 28. The next day she wasn’t at work.

Police found her identification, her purse and her car all at her house.

Friends and family flooded Facebook and other media channels in a desperate bid to find her.

By last night, the Facebook group dedicated to helping find Lloyd had been replaced with one dedicated to her memory. More than 3,000 people had joined the group called, “Jessica Lloyd Rest in Peace.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends at this time,” said one woman posting on the group. “God has another angel and you were taken away too soon.”

- With files from QMI Agency and the Canadian Press