$50,000 reward now offered for information leading to arrest, conviction of those responsible for disappearance of Smiths Falls man

A $50,000 reward is now being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the disappearance of Smiths Falls man Lawrence Bertrim.

OPP say in a March 19 media release that Bertrim, who would now be 44, was last seen on September 30, 2022, at about 11 p.m. in downtown Smiths Falls. He is described as 5’6″ (168 cm) and 149 lbs (68 kg) with a medium build, brown hair and blue eyes.

“The Smiths Falls Police Service (SFPS) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) remain committed to determining what happened to Lawrence Bertrim,” police say in a media release. Over the years, investigators have followed up on numerous tips from the public and conducted multiple searches with assistance from the OPP Emergency Response Team, OPP Canine Unit, OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit and OPP Aviation Services.

Detective Inspector Jennifer Patton of the OPP says the investigation remains active and ongoing.

“We are hopeful that the announcement of this substantial reward may motivate someone with key information, who has not yet come forward, to do so now,” Patton stated.

Chris Kettyle, Deputy Chief of the Smiths Falls Police Service, said investigators still believe someone has key first-hand information that will help determine what happened to Bertrim.

“There is a high interest in our community to resolve this case,” Kettyle said.

Anyone with any information in relation to this investigation is urged to call the dedicated tipline at 1-844-677-9404 to reach detectives directly. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.