$50,000 reward offered for information in disappearance of Smiths Falls, Ont. man in 2022

Ontario Provincial Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information in the disappearance of Lawrence Bertrim from Smiths Falls, Ont. in September 2022. (OPP/release)

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information in the disappearance of a man nearly three years ago in Smiths Falls, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police say Lawrence Bertrim, 44, was last seen at approximately 11 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2022, in downtown Smiths Falls. Smiths Falls Police initially began a missing person investigation before requesting the OPP’s assistance in December 2022.

“There is high interest in our community to resolve this case,” Smiths Falls Police Service’s Deputy Chief Chris Kettyle said in a statement. “Investigators from the Smiths Falls Police Service and OPP still believe someone has key first-hand information that will help determine what happened to Lawrence Bertrim.”

In October 2023, police said investigators had received an “abundance of second-hand information” about Bertrim’s disappearance, but were looking to speak with someone who might have first-hand knowledge of his activities the night he disappeared.

“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,” the OPP said in a release.

Bertrim is described as five-feet-six-inches tall, 149 lbs., with a medium build, brown hair and blue eyes.

“This investigation remains active and ongoing,” OPP Det.-Insp. Jennifer Patton said. “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.”

Anyone with any information in relation to the disappearance of Bertrim is asked to contact the OPP’s dedicated tip line at 1-844-677-9404. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.