Police locate 3rd set of human remains on a rural property near Smiths Falls, Ontario, closing a nearly four-year search for a missing local man. This discovery marks the third body found on the same piece of land, and it has shocked residents across eastern Ontario. As a result, investigators are now facing growing public attention and difficult questions about how so many victims ended up in one place.
Who Is the Third Victim Found in Smiths Falls?
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed that the remains belong to Lawrence Bertrim, a 44-year-old man who vanished on September 30, 2022. He was last seen late at night in downtown Smiths Falls. Consequently, his disappearance had remained an open case for almost four years.
Officers located his body on August 6 at a property on Kelly Jordan Road. However, the cause of death has not yet been determined. Furthermore, no charges have been filed in connection with his death at this time.
In May 2025, police had renewed their appeal for public tips. They offered a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest. Even so, the case stayed unsolved until this recent breakthrough.
A Timeline of the Kelly Jordan Road Discoveries
This case has unfolded in stages over the past year. Therefore, understanding the full timeline helps explain why this property has drawn so much attention.
| Victim | Age | Found | Status |
| Robbie Thompson | 34 | October 2025 | Four people charged, three with first-degree murder |
| Robert Lambert | 75 | July 20, 2026 | Cause of death undetermined, no arrests |
| Lawrence Bertrim | 44 | August 6, 2026 | Cause of death undetermined, no arrests |
First Victim: Robbie Thompson
Police first found the remains of Robbie Thompson, a 34-year-old Smiths Falls resident, in October 2025. He had disappeared in 2023. Since then, four people have been charged in connection with his death, including three accused of first-degree murder.
Second Victim: Robert Lambert
Next, on July 20, 2026, officers discovered the remains of Robert Lambert, 75, from Montague Township, on the same property. Notably, Lambert had purchased the residence back in 2004. Later, in April 2018, one of the men charged in Thompson’s death became co-owner of the property alongside Lambert, just three months before Lambert was last seen.
Third Victim: Lawrence Bertrim
Most recently, investigators confirmed Bertrim’s remains at the same location, making him the third person found on this single property.
What Police Are Saying About the Investigation?
OPP Detective Inspector Jennifer Patton described the discovery as a major step forward, though she stressed that the case remains far from closed. According to Patton, finding Bertrim brings some relief to a family that has waited nearly four years for answers. Meanwhile, investigators continue working through evidence tied to all three sets of remains.
Police also acknowledged the unusual scale of public interest in this case. After all, it’s rare for three missing persons cases to connect back to one rural address. As a result, officers have asked the community for patience while the investigation continues.
Charges and Arrests Connected to the Case
So far, charges have only been laid in Thompson’s death. Four suspects face charges, and three of them are accused of first-degree murder. In contrast, no arrests have been made yet regarding the deaths of Lambert or Bertrim. Nevertheless, police say the investigation is active and ongoing.
A Fourth Man Linked to the Same Property
Interestingly, this case also connects to a fourth man. Steven Tate was found dead along Highway 15, close to the same property, back in November 2023. Police believe he died in a hit-and-run incident. While his case is separate from the human remains found on the land, its proximity has added another layer to this unsettling story.
What Happens Next in the Investigation?
A large number of officers currently remain stationed at the Kelly Jordan Road property, which sits roughly 80 kilometres southwest of Ottawa. Meanwhile, OPP has promised to release further updates as the investigation develops. Given the complexity of the case, this process may take considerable time.
To conclude, police locate 3rd set of human remains on this property, and the community continues to await further answers. This ongoing eastern Ontario investigation shows how patient, methodical police work can eventually bring closure to grieving families, even years after a person goes missing.
