One of those people who died while being cared for by the Laanswas 76-year old John Jefferson (Jeff) Hurley. She attended the Valley School of Ligonier from kindergarten through ninth grade and then Mount Pleasant Area High School from where she graduated in 2003. Last month, Fifth Estate journalists and I interacted with Kathrine outside a movie theatre in Bracebridge. 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. She will be dearly missed by all. Obituary SMITH, Katherine J. age 82, of Huber Heights went home to be with the Lord February 18, 2023. Court documents obtained by The Fifth Estate show that Hurley's father was one of 12 people police say the Laans were stealing money from after they died and in Hurley's case, cashing his pension cheques for four years after he died. There is no photo or video of Katherine Smith.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. More than two decades later, CBC Podcasts has found Lawrence's family. In 1998, the OPP began investigating the conditions of care homes being run by a local family in Muskoka. They contain everything from hearsay evidence to concrete facts in the investigation. Four weeks ago, I published a story in this magazine about one of Canadas most notorious cold cases. (Matthews declined to be interviewed.). Smith, who was crowned Ms. An OPP detective who went to one property noted the septic system drained directly from the building onto the ground. None of the Laans, or their uncle, Ron Allen, reported their residents as missing. 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. The Fifth Estate has learned that Kathrine Laan died in July. Martin Funeral HomePhone: (205) 755-35501300 4th Ave. N, Clanton, Alabama, Martin Funeral Home*Martin Funeral Home, Inc. does not own a crematory.Supported by SRS Computing. "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. Police spent nearly three years searching for bodies, clues and answers, but none of the four have been seen since and none of their bodies have been found. 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. (82 years old). After sources told me she was living in my home community, I discovered her renting a nondescript bungalow 900 metres from the Bracebridge, Ontario, police detachment. The Daily Advocate - Thu, 15 Sep 2022 . I Believe in the Evil EyeAnd You Should Too. Lessons from Fort Jefferson continue to have impact. There are no events at this time. She was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers quadriplegic rugby team since 2008, competing in tournaments throughout the country. She was a prolific artist, plying her skill at pottery, collage, drawing, and painting. She courageously battled an illness and died in the hospital at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, PA. Visitation will conclude with a. memorial service to celebrate Katies life, with Pastor David Clement of Trinity Lutheran Church of Latrobe officiating. Martin Funeral Home Phone: (205) 755-3550 1300 4th Ave . Ms. Katherine Clare Smith, 36, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Another point of contention between lawyers is the extent to which the police investigation remains open. Newly obtained police documents reveal additional details and shed further light on what police believe may have happened to four elderly people who mysteriously vanished two decades ago from a secluded area of Ontario's cottage country north of Toronto. Memorial contributions may be made in Smiths memory to Three Rivers Adaptive Sports, P.O. She was born Aug. 30, 1985, in Latrobe, the daughter of Patricia OBrien Smith and the late Robert Melville Smith. Most impressively, she had that exact same personality and character after the accident and through her therapy. She was a regular and enthusiastic participant in The Moth Live Storytelling series in Pittsburgh. The Fifth Estate spent months tracking down Kathrine Laan, in the end finding multiple names she'd used over the past several years and around a dozen addresses and phone numbers for her across the United States and Canada. The affidavits, calledinformation to obtain search warrant documents (ITOs), are written by police officers or detectives and are presented before a judge in an effort to obtain a search warrant. She can be reached at lisa.mayor@cbc.ca. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Katherine Clare Smith, 36, of Stahlstown, PA, on February 27, 2022. "Every police officer, I think, if you ask them, 'Why do we do this, we do this to serve?' 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 If you know of an upcoming event for Katherine Smith, please add one. That property, about 13 kilometres southwest of Huntsville,was owned by three members of theLaanfamily. Her spirit was infectious, and it was hard not to be jealous of the way she approached life. Terms of Service apply. She was instructed by Three Rivers Adaptive Sports and completed the Pittsburgh Marathon three times in hand-cycling. The four missing seniors all lived with the Laans prior to their disappearance. November 14, 2022 "It appeared to be clean and well-kept," he said. Charges against David Laan were withdrawn. Plant a tree Memorial Trees H Hope the tree helps some love Shannon, Bre & Tabby February 21, 2023 Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Katherine J. Smith to show support. The Walrus uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. 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. Your sweet mother was truly a Godly woman with a huge heart. She was a registered nurse, having received an Associate of Science in nursing from Walters State and Bachelor of Science from Tusculum College. Members of theLaan familyrecruited people from Toronto who were on the fringes of society and promised them a quiet life in Muskoka, with activities like bowling, woodwork and singsongs at their care homes. The youngest brother, Paul, teaches English at a private university in metropolitan Seoul. As we look at Who We Are Now in 2023, help us power the next 20 years of inspiring conversations and fact-checked journalism. Another resident of Fern Glen had broken his hip and wasn't mobile. Badger said she and Smith made appearances together at the Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center in Pittsburgh, which works with disabled children and their families. Daughter of the late Earl, Sr. and Alice Grant. In November 1998, before Lawrence could file her report with the OPP, she went missing. . Badger had handed her Ms. Pennsylvania crown to Smith. When Lawrence realized she hadn't received the cheque, she had a friend who worked at a local law office look into it. Donate to The Walrus today. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. She worked diligently with caring and skilled doctors, nurses, and therapists to rebuild her strength and develop skills that would guide her path forward. 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. That legal secretary told police that the cheque was endorsed with Lawrence's forged signature. Funeral arrangement under the care ofJenkins Funeral Home. She loved the many cats with whom she lived through her life and will be missed dearly by her cat Scruffy. However, a source with knowledge of the case claims it hasnt been active for years. She did not view needing a wheelchair to give her mobility as a disadvantage because it gave her so many opportunities, Badger said. As Cathy directed, cremation has taken place. 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. She had an impeccable sense of humor. Fact-based journalism that sparks the Canadian conversation. One resident told police he thought he was in a psychiatric hospital because there were 14 people living in the house and only four were able to carry on a conversation. You can read the feature Cottage Country Murder here. Online Geometry Tutors This property wasn't directly connected to the other "care homes," but was used as a rooming property for renters. Conditions in the homes also caught the attention of people in the community. Before arriving on the Island, she worked in Toronto as an investigative journalist with CBC's The Fifth Estate, where she received two Canadian Screen Awards, a Michener Award and a National Radio Television Digital News Association Award. While investigating the disappearances, police also began looking into the conditions of the homes. The OPP says the case remains openand declined to comment. Service map data OpenStreetMap contributors, Friends and family will be received on Sunday, March 6, from 1-4 p.m. at the Snyder-Green Funeral Home; 402 E. Church St.; Ligonier, PA 15658; (724) 238-2611. Wanting more space for her cats, Lawrence relocated to the Laan farm, a twenty-eight-hectare property owned by three of the Laan brothers: David, Walter, and Paul. That was inspiring to me, and I am sure it was to all those who encountered her, said DeFlitch, retired executive managing editor of the Tribune-Review. Ten of the residents were deaf. We know that Eric M Didocha, Steve D Didocha, and seven other persons also lived at this address, perhaps within a different time frame.The phone number (248) 273-3763 (Ameritech Michigan) is Katherine's They said Lawrence told them she paid $600 per month to rent the shed. Muskoka mystery: Missing senior killed to stop her from reporting 'mistreatment, neglect,' police said | CBC News Loaded. Claiming mistreatment and financial abuse, Lawrence approached a law firm to help her gather evidence against her landlords to bring to the OPP. I wish I could talk about what I saw in those homes but when this case finally is resolved, I feel those [victims'] families will have justice.". Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. "[I hope] we can finally bring justice to the families of those victims," he said. Ms. Katherine Clare Smith, 36, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Roger van der Laan. Angier, NC: Mrs. Katherine "Elaine" Smith Reardon, age 67, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Katie was a member of the USA Boccia Paralympic national team, competing and training in destinations including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Grand Rapids, MI WILLIAM VAN LAAN OBITUARY VAN LAAN, WILLIAM William C. Van Laan, age 88, of Kentwood, began his eternal life in heaven on Friday, September 21, 2012, after battling cancer. 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.. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Chris Tribula Katherine Ulewicz Kathy Ulewicz Roger Van Elslande. In his affidavit, Matthews points to other cases in which advancements in technology and suspects who let their guard down have led to convictions, suggesting that he hopes the same will be true with this case. Katie was also an accomplished athlete. She was born December 30, 1986 in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of Todd and Terry (Washtak) Smith. 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.. She battled. Thelma loved the Lord and devoted her life to Christ at an early age. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google She was a homemaker and member of South Point Baptist Church formerly Harvest Baptist . Celebrate the life of Katherine Smith, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information. Twitter for iPhone 3 Likes Rhymes with Pocohontas @rnrolljo Nov 3, 2019 Replying to @True_North__ and @CP24 After two decades, the Ontario Provincial Police have received substantial tips that are helping them advance their investigation into what happened to four seniors who disappeared from the province's Muskoka region in the late 1990s, The Fifth Estate has learned. Billerica, MA. He said later that he couldn't recall where he shot them or where they are now, but knew whenhe killed them. Part of a seven-month joint investigation with CBCs The Fifth Estate, the feature delved into recently unsealed police files to try to answer a question that has obsessed detectives for nearly two decades: What happened to four seniors who went missing in Ontarios Muskoka area in the 1990s? Your browser may not work with certain site. Learn more or change your cookie preferences. He signed all but two of the forms. The documents show Lawrence told friends she was afraid of the Laans. Pleasant Area High School, where she graduated in 2003. panloloko sa kapwa She spent six months recovering from her injury at the Institute of Research and Rehabilitation at UPMC Southside in Pittsburgh. The portions of the search warrants that remain under seal will be challenged by The Walrus/CBC in a hearing later this month. 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. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Katherine Ann Smith Mahan, age 86, of Talbott, departed to be face to face with the Lord at Signature Lifestyles assisted living on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. The Fifth Estate approached David and Walter Laan for comment, and they declined to speak. He said at the time he assumed his father owed rent payments to the care home. Sister. In 1996, his father fell ill and was moved to hospital in Huntsville. David Neal officiating. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. There are no events at this time. Heended up at Fern Glen inUtterson, almost 200 kilometres further north from Toronto than Richmond Hill. Privacy Policy and What Matthews saw in the early days of investigating the homes had him worried for the well-being of the residents who lived there. Among Katies honors and achievements, she was a governing board member for the PA Youth Leadership Network, was named Ms. There was never an opportunity missed on a good one liner. Mrs. Thelma Louise Cooper Muldrow was born in Florence, South Carolina on February 19, 1955, to the late Robert Christopher Cooper, Sr. and the late Alberta Alexander Cooper. She had a true affection for all young people and amassed an impressive childrens book collection. Their disappearances were initially treated as missing persons investigations, but are now considered by police to be homicides. "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. Siblings Kathrine, Walter, Paul and David Laan had purchased residential homes in the area and operated them as what they described as "Christian retirement homes," with names like Cedar Pines and Fernglen Manor. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. Katherine Smith Obituary With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Katherine Smith of Union Dale, Pennsylvania, who passed away on November 14, 2022 at the age of 34. I was part of a seven-month joint investigation with the CBCs The Fifth Estate that drew on unsealed Ontario Provincial Police files. Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. 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