Provincial authorities have reported the discovery of a third set of human remains on a property near Smiths Falls in eastern Ontario. The recent remains have been identified as belonging to Lawrence Bertrim, who was last seen in downtown Smiths Falls in September 2022. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are currently investigating the cause of Bertrim’s death without any charges being filed. A $50,000 reward is still available for information leading to a conviction in his case.
At the time of his disappearance, Bertrim was 42 years old. Detective Inspector Jennifer Patton of the OPP stated that finding Lawrence Bertrim is a significant development for his family and the investigative team, who have been dedicated to this case for nearly four years. The public interest has been heightened by the discovery of three missing persons on the same property, and investigators are urging patience as they pursue leads.
Bertrim’s remains were discovered on the Kelly Jordan Road property on August 6, following the previous revelation of another missing man, Robert Lambert, on the same property in July. Though no charges have been laid in Lambert’s case, authorities have expressed suspicions of foul play. Additionally, the remains of Robbie Thomson were found on the same property in October 2025, leading to the charging of four individuals in connection with his death, with three facing charges of first-degree murder.
CBC News reported in 2023 that Bertrim and Thomson were acquainted, along with 34-year-old Steven Tate, whose body was found in a ditch along Highway 15 in November 2023. The deaths of Tate, Bertrim, and Thomson captivated the Smiths Falls community, profoundly impacting the small town and surrounding rural area with the discoveries of the initial sets of remains.
