Provincial authorities have announced the discovery of a third set of human remains at a premises near Smiths Falls in eastern Ontario. The latest remains have been confirmed to belong to Lawrence Bertrim, who was last seen 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 remains available.
Lawrence Bertrim was 42 years old when he went missing. Detective Inspector Jennifer Patton from the OPP stated, “Finding Lawrence Bertrim is a significant development for his family, who have been awaiting answers for almost four years, and for the investigative team, who have been tirelessly working on this case.” The police urged the public to be patient as they continue to follow leads in the investigation.
Bertrim’s remains were discovered on the Kelly Jordan Road property on August 6, a day after another missing man, Robert Lambert, was found deceased on the same property in July. Although no charges have been laid in Lambert’s case, authorities suspected foul play at the time.
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 acquaintances, as reported by CBC News in 2023. The pair were also known to 34-year-old Steven Tate, whose body was found in a ditch along Highway 15 in November 2023.
The community of Smiths Falls was deeply affected by Tate’s death and the disappearances of Bertrim and Thomson. The discoveries of the human remains have had a significant impact on the small town and the surrounding rural area, according to local officials.