Tiny remote Canada town is on edge as three friends mysteriously VANISH – as cops refuse to link cases and conspiracy rumors swirl among locals
Rumors swirl in a small remote town in Canada after three friends mysteriously disappear, but authorities refrain from connecting the cases.
Lawrence Bertrim, 43, Robbie Thomson, 34, and Steve Tate, 34, have mysteriously disappeared over the past fourteen months and are believed to be friends.
Residents of Smith Falls, Ont., are feeling uneasy as no arrests have been made in connection with the three cases, and Ontario Provincial Police insist on investigating each case individually.
Since Bertrim disappeared in September 2022, stories have circulated among community residents about how he died and how his body was treated.
A year later, his friend Thomson disappeared, followed by the third person, Tate, whose body was found in a ditch near the city earlier this week.
The mysterious disappearance of Lawrence Bertrim, 43, has left residents of Smith Falls, Ontario, with disturbing rumors
Robbie Thomson, 34, went missing last month. It is believed that he is a friend of Bertrim
The third person, Steve Tate, 34, disappeared this month and his body was found in a ditch near the city earlier this week
I’ve lived in this city since I was five. In 42 years, this is the first time I’ve felt uncomfortable. I wouldn’t leave my house right now,” Ellis told Amanda CBC recently.
Like Amanda, many residents of Smith Falls, a town of 9,300 southwest of Ottawa, are feeling unnerved by the unexplained disappearances.
“The police haven’t said anything,” said resident Bill Linton. ‘Which rumors do you believe? Rumors are not facts.’
Ontario police have remained tight-lipped about their investigation, declining to comment on the rumors swirling in the remote, small town.
Ontario Provincial Police spokesman Aaron Miller said InsideOttawaValley.com that the department’s Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) is overseeing all three cases.
“While we continue to treat these as individual and unique cases under the direction of separate major CIB case managers, having this oversight will ensure streamlined communication and sharing of information and resources,” he said.
“Researchers realize that the Smiths Falls area is not large and that connections between people are possible because of its proximity.
“While we cannot speculate on any direct connection that might exist, these individuals have some common interests and may have shared connections among themselves.”
Many residents of Smith Falls, a town of 9,300 southwest of Ottawa, are feeling unnerved by the unexplained disappearances.
Ontario police have remained tight-lipped about their investigation, declining to comment on the rumors swirling in the remote, small town.
Bertrim was last seen on September 30 last year in downtown Smith Falls and has been missing for more than 14 months.
In October, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release that “investigators have received an abundance of second-hand information” about Bertrim’s disappearance.
But they “believe someone has important information” about his activities the night he disappeared or in the days before.
Bertrim was 42 when he went missing. He is described as 6 feet tall, approximately 149 pounds, with a medium build. He has brown hair and blue eyes.
Linda Young, Bertrim’s mother, delivered a similar message in a video call released by police.
“I know people are hearing things and have information,” she said. “Help bring some closure to my family.”
Smiths Falls police requested assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police in December 2022 and have been working with the OPP since January of this year.
His disappearance and unknown whereabouts have since sparked rumors in the city, with speculative stories only growing stronger after his friend Thomson went missing in October 2023.
Thomson is said to have disappeared between October 12 and 18. The 34-year-old man is described as 6 feet tall, medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes.
According to him, his friends describe him as a ‘gentle giant’ CBC.
Investigators are asking anyone with potentially relevant doorbell, dashcam or other video recordings from the days leading up to Robbie’s disappearance to contact police.
The mystery surrounding the two unexplained missing cases deepened when Tate, believed to be a friend of Bertrim and Thomson, also went missing on November 4.
His body was later found along a rural stretch of highway about four miles from where he was last seen alive, near Lombard and Lavinia streets in Smiths Falls.
Police raided Tate’s home last week as part of a drug investigation and discovered crystal methamphetamine, crack cocaine, cocaine and other illegal drugs, along with firearms and an axe.
Multiple people have been charged with possession and intent to distribute, but it is unclear if the drug investigation was connected to Tate’s death.
The missing cases of Bertrim and Thomson remain open and no arrests have been made as of Thursday evening.
According to the authorities, foul play cannot be ruled out in all three cases.
Mayor Shawn Pankow stated that rampant speculation does not help police and could harm the victims’ families.
“Unfortunately, when gaps exist, people tend to fill them with their own assumptions,” he said.