Missing Smiths Falls man investigation deemed a homicide; charges laid

Police charged three people in connection with the death of missing Robbie Thomson, whose body has still not been found.

According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), they have evidence to believe Thomson, who went missing in October 2023, was the victim of a homicide.

On Wednesday, police carried out the arrests of three people: Christopher Fenton, 48, Erin Mackie, 40, both from Montague Township and Joshua Belfiori, 34, from Kingston.

Each has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Belfiori was arrested by Kingston police, while Fenton and Mackie were arrested in the Smiths Falls area, Bill Dickson, OPP media relations coordinator, told CityNews. He also said he cannot comment on the relationship of the accused.

Earlier this month, the Government of Ontario launched a $50,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the case. Dickson said the reward will only come into play once the case is through the courts, but said they had several tips on the investigation due to a dedicated tip line they launched.

The accused remain in custody and are scheduled to appear for bail hearings in Perth, Ont. on Oct. 30.

People living along Kelly Jordan Road, near Smiths Falls off Highway 15, can expect to see a police presence at a residence as part of the ongoing investigation.

Thomson, who would now be 36, was reported missing to police Oct. 19, 2023, but officers said he disappeared between Oct. 12 and 18.

In July, OPP carried out a search warrant in Smiths Falls on Empress Avenue in connection with the case involving forensic identification services.

In October 2024, officials said they searched a portion of the Rideau River at Lower Reach Park. This was about 2.4 kilometres from Empress Avenue.

In several instances, police carried out searches for Thomson in connection with another missing persons case from the area, Lawrence Bertrim, who would now be 44.

When asked about whether police can now rule out the possibility that the two cases are connected, Dickson said, “We can’t rule out anything; we can only investigate.”

The investigation for Thomson is ongoing, meaning police still want to hear from people who may have information on the case.