No links between missing Belleville women: police

Deborah Rashotte, 27, of Belleville, Ont. has been missing for more than a month.

Although it was Jessica Lloyd's high-profile disappearance and death that encouraged the friends of missing Belleville woman Deborah Rashotte to come forward, police told CTV Ottawa they have not found any links between the two cases yet even though the women are from the same city.

"Knowing what I know, there's no connection, I'm feeling safe to say," Det. Insp. Mike Graham said.

"There's a procedure we follow with a missing person's case. We've looked into it and there's nothing there."

When asked for details of what evidence led them to believe there is no link, Graham said he couldn't release any more information at this time. An investigation is ongoing.

'Free spirit' Rashotte missing more than a month

The 27-year-old Rashotte, described as a "free spirit" by a friend who knew her for about eight years, was not reported missing until Feb. 11 because everyone in her life assumed she was staying with someone else.

She was taking high-school courses and staying with her father, but it was later discovered her cell phone was left behind in the bathroom, unused since Jan. 23.

"She's a very outgoing person," her friend, Ashley Clancey, told CTV Ottawa. "She'd probably talk to about anybody. That's the kind of person she is."

Rashotte is described as five feet seven inches and 130 pounds. She has long, red hair and blue eyes and was last wearing a white jacket.

Anyone with any information should contact the Belleville Police Service at 613-966-0882.

Suspect charged, court appearance set

Lloyd went missing about two weeks ago and after her body was discovered, Col. Russell Williams (formerly Russell Sovka) was charged with first-degree murder last week in relation to her death.

He also has been charged with the murder of Cpl. Marie-France Comeau and two sexual assaults concerning women in Tweed, a small town near Trenton.

Williams was commander of CFB Trenton at the time the charges were laid. His replacement, Lt.-Col. Dave Cochrane, will take over on Feb. 19.

The suspect's first court appearance will take place via video on Feb. 18.