Provincial authorities have confirmed the discovery of a third set of human remains on a property close to Smiths Falls in eastern Ontario. The newly identified remains belong to Lawrence Bertrim, who was last seen in downtown Smiths Falls in September 2022. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, and as of now, no charges have been filed. A reward of $50,000 remains available for any information leading to a conviction in Bertrim’s case.
Lawrence Bertrim, who went missing at the age of 42, was the subject of an extensive search by his family and investigators for nearly four years. Detective Inspector Jennifer Patton from the OPP acknowledged the significance of locating Bertrim, providing closure to his family and recognizing the dedication of the investigative team.
Bertrim’s remains were discovered on August 6 at the Kelly Jordan Road property, a day after the police recovered the body of another missing individual, Robert Lambert, from the same location in July. While no charges have been made in Lambert’s case, foul play is suspected, according to law enforcement.
In a separate incident, the remains of Robbie Thomson were found on the same property in October 2025. Four individuals have since been charged in connection with Thomson’s death, including three facing first-degree murder charges. Bertrim and Thomson were acquainted, as reported by CBC News in 2023. They were also linked to 34-year-old Steven Tate, whose body was found in a ditch along Highway 15 in November 2023.
The mysterious deaths and disappearances of Tate, Bertrim, and Thomson have deeply affected the Smiths Falls community, with the discoveries of multiple sets of remains leaving a lasting impact on the town and its surrounding rural areas, as noted by the local reeve.