Provincial authorities have reported the discovery of a third set of human remains at a location near Smiths Falls in eastern Ontario.
The latest remains have been confirmed to belong to Lawrence Bertrim, who was last observed in downtown Smiths Falls in September 2022.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), investigations are ongoing to ascertain the cause of his death, and no arrests have been made as of yet. Law enforcement continues to offer a reward of $50,000 for any information that leads to a conviction related to his case.
At the time of his disappearance, Bertrim was 42 years old.
“Finding Lawrence Bertrim represents a crucial step for his family, who have been seeking answers for nearly four years, as well as for the investigative team that has tirelessly pursued this case,” stated OPP Det. Insp. Jennifer Patton in the press release.
“We recognize the public’s interest sparked by the recovery of three missing persons from a single location, and we kindly ask for patience as investigators diligently follow the evidence wherever it may lead.”
Authorities indicated that Bertrim’s remains were located on the Kelly Jordan Road property on August 6, the day after they revealed the identification of another missing individual, Robert Lambert, whose body was found on the same property in July.
While no charges have been filed in connection with Lambert’s death, police previously expressed suspicions of foul play.
The remains of Robbie Thomson were discovered on the same residential site in October 2025. Four individuals have been charged in relation to his death, with three suspects facing first-degree murder charges.
Reports from CBC News in 2023 indicated that Bertrim and Thomson were acquaintances. They were also believed to have known 34-year-old Steven Tate, whose remains were found in a ditch along Highway 15 in November 2023.
The deaths of Tate, along with the disappearances of Bertrim and Thomson, captivated the Smiths Falls community, and the discoveries of the first two sets of remains significantly impacted the small town and its surrounding rural area, according to local officials.