Provincial authorities have reported the discovery of a third set of human remains at a property close to Smiths Falls in eastern Ontario. The recently identified remains belong to Lawrence Bertrim, who was last sighted in downtown Smiths Falls in September 2022. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, with no charges filed yet. A reward of $50,000 for information leading to a conviction in Bertrim’s case is still available, as per police statements.
Bertrim was 42 years old when he went missing. Detective Inspector Jennifer Patton of the OPP expressed that finding Bertrim’s remains is a crucial development for his family, who have been seeking answers for nearly four years, and for the investigative team dedicated to this case. The authorities urge the public to be patient as they continue to pursue the evidence in this ongoing investigation.
Bertrim’s remains were located on the Kelly Jordan Road property on August 6, following the discovery of another missing man, Robert Lambert, on the same property in July. While no charges have been laid in Lambert’s case, suspicions of foul play were raised by the police previously.
The remains of Robbie Thomson were also found on the same residential property in October 2025. Four individuals have been charged in connection with Thomson’s death, including three suspects 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 incidents involving Tate’s death and the disappearances of Bertrim and Thomson captivated the Smiths Falls community. The discoveries of the first two sets of remains profoundly impacted the small town and its surrounding rural areas, according to local officials.