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Colorado Hikers Flee Unseen Rock-Thrower; Unraveling the Smiths Falls Cold Case

A baffling encounter in a remote forest leaves experienced hikers terrified, while grim discoveries in Ontario link two missing persons cases.
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Colorado Hikers Flee Unseen Rock-Thrower; Unraveling the Smiths Falls Cold Case · Avonetics

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In the early fall of 2021, an experienced hiker and their companion embarked on a journey into the remote, dense forests of the Colorado mountains. What began as a peaceful afternoon of conversation and relaxation in a hammock quickly devolved into a terrifying encounter with the unexplained.

As they rested, rhythmic thuds began echoing through the canopy. Something unseen was striking the treetops, then falling through branches, landing with heavy rustles in the thick leaf litter on the ground. The sounds were consistent, deliberate, and chillingly close. While the hiker's companion grew increasingly scared, the narrator, a seasoned outdoors person accustomed to logical explanations, was primarily fascinated, though deeply unsettled.

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Driven by a need to understand, the hiker left the hammock and began walking in widening concentric circles, searching for a source. The forest was dense, visibility limited to only twenty or thirty feet. Yet, despite their thorough search in broad daylight, no person or animal was sighted. Even more perplexing, the rhythmic throwing stopped the moment the narrator began their search. It resumed instantly upon their return to the hammock.

The unsettling event prompted them to leave, seeking refuge at nearby abandoned mines. On their way out, they stopped at a familiar overlook, a rock cliff half a mile from their original spot. As they sat meditating, a sharp, stone-on-stone impact occurred just inches behind them. This final, inexplicable event sent them running, leaving them with no logical explanation for the sequence of events.

Community reactions to this baffling account are sharply divided. Many point to folklore and modern sightings of large, ape-like creatures, often associated with rock-throwing as a form of intimidation or observation. One person said, "Google legends of bigfoot throwing rocks in wooded areas," noting similar experiences and a pervasive sense of dread. Another suggested that such behavior aligns with theories of these creatures observing humans, stopping when actively pursued and resuming when activity ceases.

However, others lean towards more mundane explanations. Suggestions range from falling natural objects like large walnuts or pinecones, possibly dislodged by the heat of their small fire or the movement of the hammock. The possibility of falling bullets from distant target practice was also raised, with one commenter sharing a personal experience of finding a rifle round after hearing similar thumps. A mountain lion stalking them was another theory, with its silent approach and sudden, startling actions.

Yet, the consistent pattern of the throwing stopping and starting, and the second, equally inexplicable incident half a mile away, continues to defy easy answers. The narrator's certainty that no rocks were ever visually seen, only heard, adds another layer of mystery, making the source of the sounds even more elusive.

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From the chilling unknown of the Colorado wilderness, we turn to the stark realities of human crime, as a long-standing cold case in Ontario finally reveals its grim truth.

In August 2026, the Ontario Police Department announced a breakthrough in the disappearance of 75-year-old Robert Lambert. Lambert, who was reported missing in November 2018, with foul play suspected, was finally found. His remains were discovered on a property located on Kelly Jordan Road, northeast of Smiths Falls, Ontario.

This property, however, had already become central to another horrific investigation. Less than a year prior, in October 2025, the same police department had searched the site. That earlier search led to the discovery of 34-year-old Robbie Thomson, who had been missing since October 2023. Following Thomson's discovery, three individuals—Christopher Fenton, Erin Mackie, and Joshua Belfiori—were charged with first-degree murder. A fourth arrest followed in April, with Mark Fenton charged as an accessory after the fact to murder.

The discovery of Robert Lambert's remains on the same property where Robbie Thomson was found deepens the narrative, suggesting a potential grim connection or a property with dark secrets. The intertwining of these two cases has brought some closure to families but opened new questions about the full scope of activities tied to this specific location.

The hosts of close look will dig into both these stories, seeking answers where possible and debating the truly unexplainable.

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