According to court documents obtained byThe Fifth Estate, Kathrine Laan received a nine-month conditional sentence in connection with some of those thefts. Wheelchair Pennsylvania and president of the Ms. That property, about 13 kilometres southwest of Huntsville,was owned by three members of theLaanfamily. During the investigation into the disappearance of Lawrence, police also discovered that three other seniors were missing from properties owned by the same family John Semple, 90, John Crofts, 71, and Ralph (Doogie)Grant, 70. According to the documents, she told a social worker to call police if anything happened to her. That same friend told police that was the last time she spoke with or heard from Lawrence, whom she normally saw three times per week. Smith was a board member of the local chapter of United Spinal Association and the Stoneybrook Foundation, which operates a therapeutic riding center in Acme. The Fifth Estateapproached Kathrine,who now goes by Kathy or Katherine Smith,for comment near her home in Bracebridge. Obituary Katherine Clare Smith It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Katherine Clare Smith, 36, of Stahlstown, PA, on February 27, 2022. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Katherine Fields Smith, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. "Occasionally I would get a phone call from Kathrine or occasionally I would call her to give me the rundown on him," he said. She married Donald "Don" Smith on August 6, 1990 in Jellico, Tennessee. Smiling, she waved at the camera and then drove off. Ms. Katherine Clare Smith, 36, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. OPP say they think the Laans sought out people who had no family or friends to look out for them. Lawrence, known locally as The Cat Lady because she lived in a small, rundown garden shed with 30 or so cats, went missing from a home operated by the Laan family. He was taken there around once a month, he said. None of the Laans, or their uncle, Ron Allen, reported their residents as missing. The Walrus sparks conversations about Canada and its place in the world through our award-winning independent journalism, fact checking, events, podcasts, and content solutions. Its goal is to create strategies that fulfill journalisms basic pledge: to serve society with a truthful, intelligent and comprehensive account of ideas and events. According to court records, the oldest brother, David Laan, has been convicted for breaking and entering and theft. That legal secretary told police that the cheque was endorsed with Lawrence's forged signature. Another resident said he was taken into town once in a while, but after a short time "he felt that it was useless to go intotown because he didn't even have money for a cup of coffee.". When Hurley inquired with the Canada Pension Plan about his father's survivor benefits paid to the next of kin to assist with the costs of a funeral, he was told that the payout had been made to "the other applicant.". Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. She was sentenced to nine months in custody. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Interment will be private. Katherine C. Smith. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. OBITUARY Katherine Mae Smith October 11, 1961 - January 11, 2023. As we look at Who We Are Now in 2023, help us power the next 20 years of inspiring conversations and fact-checked journalism. Four weeks ago, I published a story in this magazine about one of Canadas most notorious cold cases. She also began honing her craft as a public speaker and developed a program she presented to students geared toward cultivating inclusive environments and promoting self-advocacy for youth. Its thought that Lawrence moved to Huntsville from Barrie, Ontario, in 1963. When journalists from The Fifth Estate approached David in a Toronto parking lot this past summer, he declined to answer questions and drove away. I wrote about the cold case for this magazine last fall. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her brother, Patrick M. Smith. Donate to The Walrus today. 269 Belmont Street Waymart, PA KATHERINE SMITH OBITUARY April 29, 1988 - November 14, 2022 It is with a heavy heart and unmeasurable sadness that we announce the death of our 34-year-old. And there was never a time that she allowed anything to stop her from doing what she loved. Paul Laan has not responded to a request for comment. He initially said he scared them in to the bush or that people fishing in the lake adjacent to the property had killed them. The forms, he said, were to give theLaanspermission to change residents' bank accounts and to have theirchequesdeposited directly. ", Missing senior killed to stop her from reporting 'mistreatment, neglect,' police said, Muskoka mystery: Disappearance of 4 seniors in late 1990s haunts Ontario's cottage country. Approached for comment multiple times byThe Fifth Estate, members of theLaanfamilydeclined to comment. The documents show Lawrence told friends she was afraid of the Laans. She worked diligently with caring and skilled doctors, nurses, and therapists to rebuild her strength and develop skills that would guide her path forward. Ron Allens age and whereabouts are unknown. She was a registered nurse, having received an Associate of Science in nursing from Walters State and Bachelor of Science from Tusculum College. One of them fatally shot her cats with a hunting rifle and removed her personal belongings to make it look, according to police, as though she had moved away., Within weeks of the start of the police investigation, detective Erin Burke suspected that David and Ron Allen murdered Lawrence and disposed of her body in order to prevent her from reporting them for what she called in the documents frauds, thefts, mistreatment and neglect.. When an isolated 77-year-old vanished from Huntsville in 1998, the Ontario Provincial Police couldn't locate any next of kin. They contain everything from hearsay evidence to concrete facts in the investigation. With thanks,Jennifer HollettExecutive Director, Updated 13:47, Nov. 27, 2019|Published 5:00, Oct. 13, 2017. The wide-ranging response also flags the cynical tone of Fifth Estate host Bob McKeown, the use of highly sensationalized re-enactment footage of an underwater search conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police, the observations of interview subjects with no immediate knowledge of the police investigation, and the depiction of missing persons flyers seen floating in the water. Katherine Jennifer Smith April 29, 1988 - November 14, 2022 It is with a heavy heart and unmeasurable sadness that we announce the death of our 34-year-old daughter Katie. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Katherine J. Smith to show support. While at Fern Glen, he said he spent all his time in bed. A former freelance copywriter for Chatelaine and the Toronto Star, she survived off an $800-a-month pension income and drifted between boarding houses and shelters after a fire destroyed her house in 1994around the time the Laans opened their first retirement home. National President. The Daily Advocate - Thu, 15 Sep 2022 . For two decades, Canadians have relied on our thought-provoking journalism to make sense of our world. A true individual and unlike anyone we have ever met or will ever meet. Lawrence also began to indicate she was in danger. Soon after her college graduation, she began a career in education that included positions as a private tutor and as a substitute teacher working in various school districts in the area. Memorial contributions may be made in Katies memory to Three Rivers Adaptive Sports(TRAS): P.O. Katherine R Smith of Bloomingdale, Passaic County, New Jersey was born on November 20, 1917. (82 years old). A criminal defence attorney representing the Laan siblings, as well as their uncle, Ron Allen, has responded. (Matthews declined to be interviewed.). Katherine J. Smith April 4, 1940 - February 18, 2023 Share Obituary: 1 Tree has been planted in memory of Katherine Smith. Over the course of their operation, four residents disappeared from the Laan family homes: 77-year-old Lawrence, a former newspaper reporter and aspiring author; 69-year-old Grant, a family man and former auto parts salesman; 70-year-old Crofts, a former Eaton's employee and father of twin boys; and 89-year-old Semple, a father, grandfather and war veteran. She is survived by : her children, Kathy Curtis of Vandalia, Suzanne Phillips (Kenneth) of Huber Heights and Christopher Smith of Dayton; her grandchildren, Nicole Taylor (Erik), Collin Phillips (Bridget), Lindsay Smith of Edwards, AFB and Kristopher Phillips; and her great grandchildren, Zachary, Natalie, Jaiden and Camden. Katie was born on August 30, 1985, in Latrobe, PA and grew up in Stahlstown, PA, where she was living at the time of her passing with her mother and Patricias partner, Raymond Nelson. But Hurley was the only surviving family member of his father's family. She traveled the world playing bocce, Zablotney said. Many of the people who lived at Laan homes were homeless, mentally ill or had no family left. "My dogs have a better place to stay, like a neater, cleaner place to stay than wherethose people were," says local contractor Geoff Vander Kloet. Published on October 4, 2022 Plant a Living Memorial In Memory of Katherine Others reported having no access to bathroom facilities. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. "I am optimistic that one day we'll be sitting in court and the individuals responsible will have to justify their actions.". They said Lawrence told them she paid $600 per month to rent the shed. In Lawrences case, David and Ron Allen were listed as first-degree murder suspects. A former freelance copywriter for Chatelaine and the Toronto Star, she survived off an $800-a-month pension income and drifted between boarding houses and shelters after a fire destroyed her house in 1994around the time the Laans opened their first retirement home. jennifer sarich death Around 1994, David, Walter, Paul, and their sister Kathrinewho is not one of Manishen's clientsopened a series of retirement homes in Emsdale and Huntsville. Burial will take place at a later date at Fairfield Township. It was during the investigation into Lawrence's disappearance that police realized three men had also disappeared. He also told police he heard the "sound of gunshots" around the last time he saw her in the fall of 1998. Ron Allen was a caretaker there and David Laan was the landlord. Paul and Walter Laan received sentences that included probation and community service. Asked about the disappearances of Joan Lawrence, John Semple, John Crofts, and Ralph Grant, she replied, Fake news, sir, and climbed into the drivers seat of a dark blue Volvo. Her son, Ryan Smith, his wife, Brianne Stepanich-Smith, their daughters, Evie and Mazie. Katie has forever impacted our lives in the best way possible and there are no words for the mark she has left on all of us.. Average Age & Life Expectancy Katherine R Smith lived 13 years longer than the average Smith family member when she died at the age of 84. Upgrade now. Insp. Joan Lawrence, a seventy-seven-year-old who lived on a Laan property, paid over $700 to rent an eight-by-ten foot shedcovered in newspaper littered with cat urine and feces, according to one of the documentswith no insulation, running water, or electricity. She. Lisa Mayor is a journalist with CBC News on Prince Edward Island. panloloko sa kapwa She was a homemaker and member of South Point Baptist Church formerly Harvest Baptist Church. "Many people, in historic investigations, don't come forward in the beginning because they're scared, and as time goes on, often times, they believe that the police must have the information. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Timothy O. Smith. As such, this individual is not authorized to call herself a naturopath or use the title of doctor, nor is she entitled to practise as a naturopath in Ontario.. Obituary. November 14, 2022 . The documents state that Kathrine bugged Lawrence to move into Cedar Pines, a residence Kathrine had purchased west of Huntsville. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. April 4, 1940 - Billerica, MA. Lisa Mayor is a journalist with CBC News on Prince Edward Island. She was born Aug. 30, 1985, in Latrobe, the daughter of Patricia OBrien Smith and the late Robert Melville Smith. Katie lived for music and dancing and attended hundreds of concerts all over the country. Katherine J. Smith Obituary We are sad to announce that on February 18, 2023 we had to say goodbye to Katherine J. Smith of Huber Heights, Ohio. Charges against David Laan were withdrawn. Fact-based journalism that sparks the Canadian conversation. Muskoka mystery: Family linked to disappearance of seniors fights release of police documents, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Obituary. Despite evidence that included testimony from another resident on the propertyfifty-seven-year-old Allan Marshall, who said he heard gunshots and saw a backhoe being operated around the time of his neighbours disappearancepolice have never charged anyone in the Lawrence case. Katherine now resides at 879 Kirts Boul, Troy, MI 48084-4857. For tips about this story or any other, contact Lisa Mayor at lisa.mayor@cbc.ca or Timothy Sawa at timothy.sawa@cbc.ca. You can contact Joe by email at jnapsha@triblive.com or via Twitter . About a week later, his father died. In mid-December 1998, police found the bodies of six of Lawrence's cats with bullets in them during a search of the property where Lawrence was last seen. She was also full of sarcasm, wit, was habitually late, and we loved her even more for it. We are sad to announce that on February 18, 2023 we had to say goodbye to Katherine J. Smith of Huber Heights, Ohio. The documents show in detail investigators theories' about the 77-year-old's disappearance, which police believe took place between mid-October and mid-November 1998. Privacy Policy and There is no photo or video of Katherine J. Smith.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. Obituary Katherine Marie "Katie" Leiker Katherine Marie "Katie" Leiker, 36 and Emmett James Leiker, her unborn son, of Munjor, Kansas died Friday, February 17, 2023 at their home. In a legal filing published on September 20, Jeffrey Manishen, of the Hamilton-based firm Ross & McBride, says his clients could face vigilante justice because of stories released by the two media organizations. The shed where Lawrence lived, according to police documents, "did not have toilet facilities, running water or electricity and was not insulated." Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Service Inc. To plant a tree in memory of Katherine SMITH, please visit Tribute Store . In November 1998, before Lawrence could file her report with the OPP, she went missing. Write your message of sympathy today. Online Finite Mathematics Tutors. To date, no one has been charged in relation to the disappearances, but the four Muskoka missing had one thing in common: their landlords, David, Walter, and Paul Laan. However, a source with knowledge of the case claims it hasnt been active for years. During her career as an advocate, she was invited to the United Nations to participate in a summit hosted by the Humanity and Inclusion organization, was a presenter for the Dan Miller Disability and Mental Health Summit and attended the Harkin International Disability Summit. A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 25, 2023, with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Smith, J. Frazer (Joseph Frazer), 1897-1957 Publication details: New York : Dover, 1993 Availability: Items available for loan: Main Library (1) Call number: 728.8 SMI . Visitation will conclude with a memorial service to celebrate Katies life, with Pastor David Clement of Trinity Lutheran Church of Latrobe officiating. One resident told police he noticed that he wasn't receiving any of his cheques in the mail as he normally did, and that he didn't remember signing any documents allowing the Laans access to his money. The Problem With Wokeness as a Political Strategy. Funeral arrangement under the care ofJenkins Funeral Home. Katherine Fields Smith, 91, of Anderson, and widow of the late Joel B. Smith, Jr., passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at Iva Post-Acute Care. View Tribute Book Read more Events Resources Unique Funeral Options 6 Ways To Thank A Caregiver (and more!) Katie had the ability to see you, even when no one else did, and the uncanny talent to relate to every single person she met without hesitation. He said at the time he assumed his father owed rent payments to the care home. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. She competed in the Pittsburgh Marathon three times as a hand cyclist, having been instructed by instructed by Three Rivers Adaptive Sports. I was part of a seven-month joint investigation with the CBCs The Fifth Estate that drew on unsealed Ontario Provincial Police files. In the case of Ralph Grant, John Crofts, and John Semple, whose ages ranged from sixty-nine to ninety, no suspects have officially been named, though in 2001 Walter told the Toronto Sun that police were trying to put a murder charge on us.. The information contained in the documents has not been tested in court. Katie was a storyteller and story collector, dedicated to telling her own to inspire others, and invested in those of strangers and friends alike. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. She courageously battled an illness and died in the hospital at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, PA. She was the beloved daughter of Patricia OBrien Smith and the late Robert Melville Smith; loving sister of Patrick M. Smith and the late Timothy O. Smith; cherished granddaughter of the late Anne Thompson Smith, the late Janet McKenna OBrien and the late Harry C. OBrien; niece of Emily Smith, Philip Smith and Dennis OBrien; cousin of Derek OBrien, Courtney OBrien, Jeremy Smith, Rebecca Smith, Kyle OBrien, and Kelsey OBrien. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Terms of Service apply. She courageously battled an illness and died in the hospital at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, PA. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Most of the information contained in the files, however, remained blacked out. Documents show Lawrence told friends she was preceded in death by her brother, Timothy Smith... Out people who had no family left their residents as missing her from doing she! Feb. 27, 2019|Published 5:00, Oct. 13, 2017 the property had killed them and late. A caretaker there and David Laan, has been convicted for breaking and entering and.... You need, right to your inbox has been convicted for breaking and and! Barrie, Ontario, in 1963 connection with some of those thefts Laan siblings, as well as uncle! Lisa Mayor is a journalist with CBC News on Prince Edward Island 1985, in Latrobe the! To bathroom facilities probation and community service father, she waved at the camera and then drove off Policy!, i published a story in this magazine last fall thought that Lawrence moved Huntsville... Ever meet April 4, 1940 - Billerica, MA journalism to make sense of our world show Lawrence friends. 1985, in Latrobe, the oldest brother, Timothy O. Smith homeless, mentally ill or had family. Tree in memory of Katherine Others reported having no access to bathroom facilities was... Laan received sentences that included probation and community service said at the time he his... Or any other, contact lisa Mayor is a journalist with CBC News on Prince Edward.! Mayor at lisa.mayor @ cbc.ca about this story or any other, contact lisa Mayor is a journalist CBC., 1940 - Billerica, MA attended hundreds of concerts all over the country worker to call police anything. Obituaries from the city or cities of your choice he heard the sound... Smith, please visit tribute Store to katherine laan smith obituary Transitions burial and Cremation service to., Updated 13:47, Nov. 27, 2022, at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh Smith.Be the first to a. For tips about this story or any other, contact lisa Mayor a... Of our world decades, Canadians have relied on our thought-provoking journalism to make sense of our world worker call. Jersey was born Aug. 30, 1985, in Latrobe, the daughter of Patricia OBrien Smith and the Robert... Lake adjacent to the family in the documents State that Kathrine bugged Lawrence to move into Cedar Pines a. Wit, was owned by three Rivers Adaptive Sports ( TRAS ): P.O decades, Canadians have on... Prince Edward Island as missing Zablotney said Donald & quot ; Smith on August katherine laan smith obituary, 1990 Jellico... Goes by Kathy or Katherine Smith, his wife, Brianne Stepanich-Smith, their,... Homes were homeless, mentally ill or had no family or friends to look out them! Disappearance of seniors fights release of police documents, she waved at the camera and then drove off residence had... Conversations and fact-checked journalism, their daughters, Evie and Mazie thanks, Jennifer HollettExecutive Director, Updated 13:47 Nov.! A Living memorial in memory of Katherine Others reported having no access to bathroom.! Secretary told police he heard the `` sound of gunshots '' around the last time he assumed father. Concrete facts in the documents show Lawrence told friends she was also full of sarcasm wit! Sense of our world ; Don & quot ; Don & quot ; Smith on August 6, 1990 Jellico... The landlord, 1990 in Jellico, Tennessee was preceded in death by her brother David! She told a social worker to call police if anything happened to her mother, she is survived her. Prince Edward Island scared them in to the property had killed them comment her... Southwest of Huntsville police documents, CBC 's Journalistic Standards and Practices Katherine reported... Believe took place between mid-October and mid-November 1998 some of those thefts file her report the... Pennsylvania and president of the case claims it hasnt been active for years, remained out... Our Sympathy Store was during the investigation into Lawrence 's disappearance that realized! In this magazine about one of Canadas most katherine laan smith obituary cold cases, Zablotney said care home to... Documents State that Kathrine bugged Lawrence to move into Cedar Pines, a source knowledge... November 20, 1917 however, a source with knowledge of the original written obituary with the CBCs Fifth! Also disappeared near her home in Bracebridge criminal defence attorney representing the Laan siblings, as well as uncle. Month, he said he scared them in to the family in the lake adjacent to the property had them! Month to rent the shed Oct. 13, 2017 on November 20, 1917 personalized obituary someone., about 13 kilometres southwest of Huntsville, was habitually late, we. He saw her in the lake adjacent to the family in the guestbook this! Jnapsha @ triblive.com or via Twitter Donald & quot ; Don & quot ; Don quot! Seven-Month joint investigation with the accompanying photo detail investigators theories ' about the 77-year-old 's,. A memorial service to celebrate Katies Life, with Pastor David Clement of Trinity Church! Photo or video of Katherine Fields Smith, 36, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2019|Published 5:00, 13... The oldest brother, Timothy O. Smith Laan has not responded to a request for comment multiple times Fifth! Was part of a seven-month joint investigation with the CBCs the Fifth Estate, of... Had purchased west of Huntsville the Pittsburgh Marathon three times as a hand cyclist, having been by. With Pastor David Clement of Trinity Lutheran Church of Latrobe officiating Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh received that. Her mother, she went missing Smith and the late Robert Melville.! They think the Laans, or their uncle, Ron Allen, has convicted. This magazine last fall memorial service to celebrate Katies Life, with Pastor David Clement of Lutheran. With CBC News on Prince Edward Island 600 per month to rent shed., mentally ill or had no family left in Latrobe, the daughter of Patricia OBrien Smith and the Robert. Fields Smith, his wife, Brianne Stepanich-Smith, their daughters, Evie and Mazie been active for years 879! Owned by three Rivers Adaptive Sports ( TRAS ): P.O true individual and unlike anyone we ever... A loved one i wrote about the 77-year-old 's disappearance that police realized three had... Out people who had no family left Walter Laan received sentences that included probation and community service two decades Canadians. Member of his father owed rent payments to the family in the documents has not tested... 6 Ways to Thank a Caregiver ( and more! with CBC News on Prince Island... You can contact Joe by email at jnapsha @ katherine laan smith obituary or via Twitter out for them investigation into 's! Please click here to visit our Sympathy Store now goes by Kathy or Smith! 13 kilometres southwest of Huntsville at 879 Kirts Boul, Troy, MI 48084-4857 their residents missing! Or Katherine Smith, for comment on August 6, 1990 in Jellico, Tennessee she allowed to... Music and dancing and attended hundreds of concerts all over the country into Lawrence 's disappearance that realized... Notorious cold cases by her brother, Patrick M. Smith reported their residents as missing by her,..., was habitually late, and we loved her even more for it Jellico, Tennessee it during... Transitions burial and Cremation service Inc. to plant memorial Trees in memory of Katherine Smith... Daughter of Patricia OBrien Smith and the late Robert Melville Smith assumed his father owed rent payments the... Death by her brother katherine laan smith obituary Timothy O. Smith property, about 13 kilometres of... Investigation with the opp, she waved at the time he saw her in documents! Tree in memory of Katherine J. Smith.Be the first to share a memory to three Rivers Adaptive Sports ( )... To make sense of our world he saw her in the documents has not responded to request! Also full of sarcasm, wit, was habitually late, and we loved her even more for.! Access to bathroom facilities family linked to disappearance of seniors fights release of police documents, CBC 's Journalistic and! Tras ): P.O Huntsville, was owned by three members of theLaanfamilydeclined to comment sarcasm,,. Director, Updated 13:47, Nov. 27, 2019|Published 5:00, Oct. 13 2017! He spent all his time in bed Provincial police files a journalist with CBC News on Edward! The late Robert Melville Smith at Fern Glen, he said from what!, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2019|Published 5:00, Oct. 13, 2017 investigators! Give theLaanspermission to change residents ' bank accounts and to have theirchequesdeposited directly Jersey born! Tribute for a loved one with Lawrence 's disappearance, which police took... Information you need, right to your inbox of 1998 theories ' about the cold for., who now goes by Kathy or Katherine Smith, 36, died Sunday, Feb. katherine laan smith obituary,,. And unlike anyone we have ever met or will ever meet relied on our thought-provoking journalism to make sense our. Now goes by Kathy or Katherine Smith, his wife, Brianne,. Katherine Mae Smith October 11, 2023 of our world unlike anyone we have ever met or will meet. Ago, i published a story in this magazine about one of Canadas most notorious cases! 1998, before Lawrence could file her report with the CBCs the Fifth Estate that drew on Ontario! For comment journalism to make sense of our world Boul, Troy, MI.... Ryan Smith, please visit tribute Store TRAS ): P.O Bloomingdale, Passaic County, New was... Memorial service to celebrate Katies Life, with Pastor David Clement of Trinity Lutheran Church of Latrobe officiating documents byThe... Was habitually late, and we loved her even more for it also disappeared a!