A Canadian soldier who served three tours in Afghanistan has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife.
Warrant Officer Howard Richmond, 50, was formally charged in an Ottawa courtroom Saturday.
Richmond told police his wife, 28-year-old Melissa Richmond, went missing on July 24. Two days later police found her car parked in a mall parking lot.

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Howard Richmond
Canadian soldier Howard Richmond, 50, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Melissa.
CTV Ottawa: Melissa Richmond Murder
The body of 28-year-old Melissa Kelly Richmond was found near an Ottawa shopping centre on Friday, July 27, 2013.
Melissa Richmond’s funeral
Melissa Richmond’s funeral was held at St. George's Chapel in Petawawa, Ont. on Saturday, August 3, 2013.
Melissa Richmond’s funeral
Melissa Richmond’s funeral was held at St. George's Chapel in Petawawa, Ont. on Saturday, August 3, 2013.
On July 28, her body was found in a ravine near where police found the car.
OPP searched for evidence in the home where the couple lived in Winchester, a town near Ottawa.
Police say Howard Richmond is the only suspect in the case.
The death of Melissa Richmond has stunned residents in the couple’s community.
"I was shocked at first but overall I'm really sad because you don't know what he has gone through, what she went through, what led up to it, I mean it's shocking,” said neighbour Tonya Drover .
“You never think something like this would happen across the street from you.”
The couple had been married for eight years.
On the same day Howard Richmond appeared in court, Mellissa Richmond's funeral was held in Petawawa at St. George's Chapel.
"It's just sad all the way around. She was a great volunteer … she volunteered for everything," Melissa's friend Dan told reporters outside the funeral.
Tribute messages were posted on the funeral home's website.
"Melissa was always a like a little ray of sunshine when she would come to visit. No matter what kind of day she was having she would always try to see the good in everyone and everything. The world will definitely be a little darker without her," read one message.
Howard Richmond remains in custody and will appear in court again on Aug. 6.
Along with his three tours in Afghanistan, he also served two in Bosnia and one in Cyprus.
Richmond said he had struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and military support groups questions whether that may be a factor in the case.
“It pops up, this ugly demon, and you just don’t know when,” said Wayne Johnston of Wounded Warriors Canada.
“All you can do is try your best to manage it.”
With reports from CTV’s Richard Madan, CTV Ottawa’s Natalie Duddridge and Claudia Cautillo, and files from The Canadian Press