The Smiths Falls Mystery: Four Men Vanished or Dead in Small Town
In the quiet railroad town of Smiths Falls, Ontario, a chilling mystery has unfolded over recent years, leaving families desperate for answers. Two men are dead, two more are missing, and police are focusing their investigation on a secluded house in the woods. The cases have exposed deep-seated issues of addiction, property disputes, and a community bound by a code of silence.
The Disappearances and Deaths
The sequence of events began in 2018 when Robert Lambert, a 75-year-old retiree from Brooklyn, New York, vanished from his home outside Smiths Falls. Police were initially told he had returned to the United States, but investigators found no record of such travel. In the autumn of 2022, Lawrence Bertrim, 42, disappeared after being last seen in downtown Smiths Falls. He had expressed feeling unsafe just before vanishing.
In October 2023, Robbie Thomson, a 34-year-old former hockey player, was reported missing by his family. Just weeks later, in November 2023, Steven Tate, also 34 and known to work odd jobs with Robbie, was last seen alive. His body was discovered five days later at the side of Highway 15 northwest of town, in Montague Township. Police have stated they believe Tate was the victim of a hit-and-run, but many locals suspect foul play and a connection to the other cases.
The Hockey Player's Struggle
Robbie Thomson's story is particularly poignant. Diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease as a child, he defied medical expectations to become a formidable hockey player, following in the footsteps of his father, George. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 265 pounds, Robbie played for teams like the Gananoque Islanders and Cornwall River Kings, known for his on-ice toughness and off-ice humor.
However, his later years were marred by addiction, which his family believes stemmed from mental health issues and injuries sustained during his hockey career. Robbie met his wife, Melissa Reid, in rehab, and they married in 2015, but their relationship struggled as addiction took hold. Robbie's disappearance in 2023 left his family in anguish, with his sister Tabatha describing a "dark path" he was on.
The Police Investigation and Charges
In a significant development, the Ontario Provincial Police laid first-degree murder charges in October 2023 against three individuals in connection to Robbie Thomson's homicide: Christopher Philip Fenton, 48; Erin Lynn Mackie, 40; and Joshua Joseph Belfiori, 34. Fenton and Mackie were identified as living at the same address outside Smiths Falls, while Belfiori is from Bath, Ontario.
The day after the arrests, police executed a search warrant on a wooded property co-owned by Fenton and the missing Robert Lambert. Human remains were discovered and later confirmed to be Robbie Thomson. This property, located at 572 Kelly-Jordan Road in Montague Township, has become the focal point of the investigation, with police tape still surrounding the area.
Property Intrigues and Vulnerabilities
Property records reveal a complex web of ownership and transactions. Robert Lambert purchased the 40-acre property in 2004 for $233,000. In 2018, after his wife Kathy's death from cancer, Lambert signed a power of attorney document naming Chris Fenton and Erin Mackie as his attorneys for property. Shortly after, Fenton's name was added to the title, with Lambert retaining life estate rights.
Lambert was last seen in early July 2018, and Fenton and Mackie moved into the property afterward. In late October 2018, Lambert's name was removed from the title of a neighboring house he co-owned with Jennifer Botham, using the power of attorney. Lambert was reported missing in November 2018, and no charges have been filed in his case. The discovery of Robbie's remains on this land has raised questions about potential links between the cases, though police have not confirmed a direct connection.
Community Context and Economic Struggles
Smiths Falls, a town of just over 9,000 people located between Ottawa and Kingston, has faced economic challenges for years. The closure of major employers like the Hershey chocolate factory and Stanley Tools led to a decline, with Mayor Shawn Pankow noting in 2024 that 14% of the population receives Ontario Disability Support Program payments, far above the provincial average.
The town has a history of contraband trade, dating back to the Prohibition era, and today, an active illicit-drugs trade is said to connect Smiths Falls to a regional network. This environment has intertwined with the opioid crisis, creating a backdrop of despair that many believe links the missing and deceased men. Community members describe a culture of fear and silence, often referred to as "the rat thing," which hinders police investigations.
Families' Anguish and Unanswered Questions
Families of the missing men have expressed frustration with the police response. Lawrence Bertrim's mother, Linda Mindle, and sister, Bridget Manahan, feel investigators initially downplayed his disappearance, using a mugshot in public appeals and delaying interviews. They emphasize that Lawrence, like Robbie, was a human being with loved ones, not just a statistic.
Tabatha Thomson and her father George have endured sleepless nights worrying about Robbie, only to have their worst fears confirmed. The tragedy extended further when Robbie's estranged wife, Melissa Reid, died suddenly in 2025, adding another layer of loss.
Police have offered $50,000 rewards in each of the four cases and erected billboards seeking information. However, many questions remain unanswered. The OPP has paused its search at the Lambert-Fenton property due to winter conditions but plans to resume. Authorities maintain that while some individuals may have known each other, they do not believe the cases are directly connected, leaving the community and families in a state of uncertainty and grief.
