Ontario Provincial Police lay first degree murder charges after year-long investigation
SMITHS FALLS — Ontario Provincial Police have charged three people with first degree murder in connection with the disappearance of Robbie Thomson, who was last seen in the Smiths Falls area in October 2023.
Thomson was reported missing on Oct. 19, 2023. At the time, police said he was about six feet two inches tall, medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was known to frequent Smiths Falls and Prescott.
Police now believe Thomson was the victim of a homicide. His body has not been located.
As a result of the investigation, members of the Lanark County OPP Crime Unit, Smiths Falls Police Service, the OPP Emergency Response Team and the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit arrested three people on Oct. 29. Kingston Police assisted with one of the arrests.
The following individuals are each charged with one count of first-degree murder under section 235(1) of the Criminal Code: Christopher Fenton, 48, of Montague Township; Erin Mackie, 40, of Montague Township, and Joshua Belfiori, 34, of Kingston
All three remain in custody. They are scheduled to appear for bail hearings before the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth on Oct. 30.
The investigation is continuing under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in partnership with the Smiths Falls Police Service and the Office of the Chief Coroner with support from the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
In July, police executed a search warrant at a property in Smiths Falls as part of the disappearance investigation. The OPP did not release details about what investigators were searching for or whether anything was seized.
Previous police updates said the case has involved extensive searches including OPP aviation, canine units, Emergency Response Team members and the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
In October, the Province of Ontario announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Thomson’s case.
Residents of Kelly Jordan Road, northeast of Smiths Falls, may continue to see a heavy police presence. Police say there is no risk to public safety.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the dedicated OPP tip line at 1-855-677-4636. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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