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. Obituary. Insp. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. A private investigator hired by the CBC in 2017 was unable to locate Kathrine, now fifty-four. Wheelchair Pennsylvania in 2013, was an amazing person who worked with youth who had disabilities, giving them hope that they can do what they wanted to do with their life, said her friend, Josie Badger of New Castle, who was Ms. 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 documents show that, on three different properties owned by the Laans near Huntsville, Ontario, many of the residents paid between $400 and $750 a month to rent shared rooms and tiny outbuildings during the 1990s. She departed this life on February 5, 2023, at the age of 67, while resting at home. She is also survived by other relatives and friends. The Fifth Estate has learned that Kathrine Laan died in July. But I will say that I had significant concerns regarding the care of these individuals. She was a one of those one-in-a-million people. The Walrus is a registered charity with an educational mandate. Police recently confirmed all 16 residents who died had their money stolen before and after their deaths. Family linked to disappearance of seniors fights release of police documents. Of thepages the organizations received, almost two-thirds were redacted. Police believed an elderly woman who disappeared in Ontario's cottage country two decades ago was killed to "prevent her from reporting frauds, thefts, mistreatment and neglect she was enduring" from her landlords, according to documents recently obtained by The Fifth Estate. VAUGHAN "Our goal is simply to find out what happened to these four souls." 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. Katherine Smith in Wanaque, NJ We found 100+ records for Katherine Smith in Wanaque, NJ. Grand Rapids Press Obituaries - Mon, 24 Oct 2022 . Katie had a tremendous passion for gardening at home. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. In a previously filed legal document, Justin Safayeni, a lawyer for the Toronto-based firm Stockwoods, who is representing The Walrus/CBC, argued that unsealing the information poses no serious risk to the Laans or their uncle and that the threat of vigilante justice is entirely speculative and without foundation., In fact, Safayeni writes, numerous media reports have linked the Laans to Ms. Lawrences disappearance over the past 20 years and no charges have been laid, yet there is no evidence that the Laans (or Mr. Allen) have faced any kind of threats or violence. The possibility that that would happen now is entirely speculative.. There is no photo or video of Katherine J. Smith.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. Born April 11, 1931, in Anderson, she was the daughter of the late Bennie and Helen Buzzele Fields. 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. Erin Burke wrote in the search warrant application. "I thought to myself, if my grandfather was here, he'd be going in the truck with me right now.". The care homes were described in promotional material as "Christian Retirement Homes," with names like Cedar Pines and Fern Glen Manor. Most of the information contained in the files, however, remained blacked out. The shed where Lawrence lived, according to police documents, "did not have toilet facilities, running water or electricity and was not insulated." Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Katherine J. Smith to show support. He said later that he couldn't recall where he shot them or where they are now, but knew whenhe killed them. 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. 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. Katie also participated in adaptive horseback riding, administered through Nickers N Neighs and the Stoneybrook Foundation, where she also became a board member. 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. Gated, and marked with No Trespassing and Beware of Dog signs, the property kept Lawrence out of sight of the public. David, Walter, Walters wife, Karen, Paul, and Kathrine were eventually charged in relation to the theft of residents government benefit chequesincluding cheques belonging to three of the missing seniors. Katherine now resides at 879 Kirts Boul, Troy, MI 48084-4857. "She had stated that she did not trust them and to call the police if anything ever happened to her," the police documents from an interview with a friend say. 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. Online Financial Statement Analysis Tutors. Many of the people who lived at Laan homes were homeless, mentally ill or had no family left. November 14, 2022 More than two decades later, CBC Podcasts has found Lawrence's family. "I believe [Joan] Lawrence's death occurred to prevent her from reporting frauds, thefts, mistreatment and neglect she was enduring at the hands of [her landlords] David Laan and Ron Allen," OPP Det.-Const. Lawrence also began to indicate she was in danger. "And she was a very good one, apparently.". 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. When Lawrence realized she hadn't received the cheque, she had a friend who worked at a local law office look into it. Open visitation at 12:30 pm. 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 . Ron Allens age and whereabouts are unknown. The four missing seniors all lived with the Laans prior to their disappearance. Martin Funeral Home Phone: (205) 755-3550 1300 4th Ave . The Fifth Estate showed Hurley the court documents, which show the date on the charging documents against the Laan family is just days after he received that letter. OPP Det. In 1996, his father fell ill and was moved to hospital in Huntsville. 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. Hurley received a letter from Kathrine Laan shortly after his father died, saying that his father had become like family to them and that they loved him. Stay up-to-date on event information as well as memories shared on Katherine C. Smiths Tribute Wall. She spent six months recovering from her injury at the Institute of Research and Rehabilitation at UPMC Southside in Pittsburgh. . She was an avid adaptive skier and hand-cyclist. 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. As we look at Who We Are Now in 2023, help us power the next 20 years of inspiring conversations and fact-checked journalism. According to the documents, she told a social worker to call police if anything happened to her. I personally never met anyone who did not like Katie, Badger said. She battled. Write your message of sympathy today. 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 Trust Project is a collaboration among news organizations around the world. The four missing seniors all lived with the Laans prior to their disappearance. Hurley said reflecting back now, he thinks the only reason his father lived as long as he did is because, unlike in many other cases, his father had family to watch out for him. 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.". Using the title naturopathic doctor and the name Katherine Smith, she has been presenting a plant-based cooking class since September 2017, showcasing recipes for gluten-free pumpkin bars and mushroom gravy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Elva Brown; sons, Robert and Charles Curtis; and sister, Barbara Howard. Last month, Fifth Estate journalists and I interacted with Kathrine outside a movie theatre in Bracebridge. It's just a matter of time. An OPP detective who went to one property noted the septic system drained directly from the building onto the ground. Another resident of Fern Glen had broken his hip and wasn't mobile. Her spirit was infectious, and it was hard not to be jealous of the way she approached life. Paul was given a restitution order to pay back more than $20,000, and Walter more than $10,000. She would light up any room she entered. Muskoka mystery: Missing senior killed to stop her from reporting 'mistreatment, neglect,' police said | CBC News Loaded. 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. In late 1998, a resident of one of the homes where Lawrence was living reported to his social worker that he thought she was missing. She twice competed in an international, all-female quadriplegic rugby tournament in Paris, France. About a week later, his father died. The documents state that Kathrine bugged Lawrence to move into Cedar Pines, a residence Kathrine had purchased west of Huntsville. Join Facebook to connect with Kathy Laan and others you may know. She traveled the world playing bocce, Zablotney said. He signed all but two of the forms. Online Geometry Tutors OBITUARY Katherine Mae Smith October 11, 1961 - January 11, 2023. Paul Laan has not responded to a request for comment. A resident at Fern Glen Manor told police the Laans told him he was being taken from SeatonHouse,a homeless shelter in Toronto, to Richmond Hill. She courageously battled an illness and died in the hospital at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, PA. If you know of an upcoming event for Katherine Smith, please add one. After high school, Katie attended Penn State University and was enrolled in their nursing program until 2007. Lawrence disappeared shortly after noticing a tax refund cheque she was expecting never came to her. It was during the investigation into Lawrence's disappearance that police realized three men had also disappeared. Several of the family members who ran the homes have criminal records. She can be reached at lisa.mayor@cbc.ca. In July 2007, Katie became a quadriplegic after suffering a spinal cord injury in a car accident. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. Lisa Mayor is a journalist with CBC News on Prince Edward Island. The Trust Project is a collaboration among news organizations around the world. There are no events at this time. For two decades, Canadians have relied on our thought-provoking journalism to make sense of our world. They said Lawrence told them she paid $600 per month to rent the shed. I looked around and went, oh it seems OK.", Hurley met Kathrine and Walter Laan during his visits. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Approached for comment multiple times byThe Fifth Estate, members of theLaanfamilydeclined to comment. A true individual and unlike anyone we have ever met or will ever meet. Memorial contributions may be made in Katies memory to Three Rivers Adaptive Sports(TRAS): P.O. She is survived by : her parents, Gary Smith and Diana Smith of Langhorne, PA; her step-parents, Kim and Lance; her siblings, Chelsea Perez and Jason Smith (Jillian); and her grandmothers, Caroline Walker and Kathleen Smith. According to court records, the oldest brother, David Laan, has been convicted for breaking and entering and theft. The Walrus uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Katie was a truly beloved friend to the many people she met through her life. Now, after a successful court battle by the CBC and The Walrus, the sealing orders on the remaining documents have been lifted. Her sister, Jane Benedict, and, her nephew, Michael Benedict. Ms. Katherine Clare Smith, 36, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Smith pursued her love of sports by skiing and playing rugby, curling and bocce, Zablotney said. 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. Plant a tree Memorial Trees H Hope the tree helps some love Shannon, Bre & Tabby February 21, 2023 Hurley said police called him two years after his father died around 1998, when their investigation began but didn't offer him any new information. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Timothy O. Smith. Sharon Kay Darling, age 83, of Owosso, MI, passed away Monday, February 20, 2023, at Medilodge, East Lansing. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. April 4, 1940 - "They were the ones that were always there when I went.". 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. Write your message of sympathy today. During his visits guestbook on this memorial page of Katherine Smith.Be the to! 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