The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed that the remains of Lawrence Bertrim, a 42-year-old man who disappeared over four years ago, were discovered on a rural property near Smiths Falls on August 6. This finding marks him as the third missing man whose remains have been found on the same property located on Kelly Jordan Road.
Earlier this month, investigators also uncovered the remains of Robert Lambert, who would now be 83 years old, and previously, the remains of Robbie Thompson, a 36-year-old man who had been missing since 2023. The determination of Bertrim's cause of death is still pending, while Thompson's death has been classified as a homicide, which has led to criminal charges.
Detective Inspector Jennifer Patton from the OPP stated, “Locating Lawrence Bertrim is a significant development for his family, who have waited nearly four years for answers, and for the investigative team, who have worked relentlessly on this case.” This statement emphasizes both the emotional weight of the discovery for the family and the ongoing commitment of law enforcement in this investigation.
Three Remains Found on One Property
The extensive searches carried out by the Ontario Provincial Police on the large treed property on Kelly Jordan Road began attracting public attention last year when Thompson's remains were found. Mark Fenton, aged 42, was arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact to murder in connection with Thompson's case. He is the fourth individual to face charges associated with Thompson's death, joining Christopher Fenton, 48, Erin Mackie, 40, both from Montague Township, and Joshua Belfiori, 34, from Kingston, who have all been charged with first-degree murder.
Smiths Falls: Location Context
To date, officials have not established a relationship between Lambert and Thompson, nor have any charges been filed regarding Lambert's death. The police have conducted multiple searches in relation to Thompson in connection with Bertrim, although they have not ruled out potential links between the cases. The investigators remain tight-lipped about specific details concerning the remains, underscoring the complexities of the ongoing investigations.
Detective Inspector Patton remarked, “While this discovery marks important progress, the investigation is far from complete. We understand the public interest generated by the discovery of three missing persons on a single property, and we ask for patience as investigators continue to follow the evidence wherever it leads.” This highlights the necessity for continued diligence as the case develops further.
