Authorities in Vermont have officially confirmed that 21-year-old Middlebury College student Lia Smith, who was reported missing earlier this month, has been found deceased. Smith, a junior at the college, was last seen on campus on Friday, October 17. When her father was unable to reach her and grew increasingly concerned, he reported her missing two days later, on Sunday, October 19.
In a statement released by the Vermont State Police, officials confirmed that a body discovered near the Middlebury College campus on Thursday, October 23, has been positively identified as Lia Smith.
The discovery marked the tragic end of an extensive, multi-day search that had mobilized local and state agencies. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and volunteers scoured the college grounds and surrounding woodlands, using drones and K9 units to expand the search area into neighboring forests and rural properties.
By Wednesday, October 22, the search intensified, with assistance from the Middlebury Fire Department, the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Sadly, the following afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m., searchers found a body in a field near The Knoll, Middlebury College’s organic farm. The remains were soon confirmed to be those of Lia Smith. Initial assessments revealed no indication of foul play.
A subsequent autopsy by the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Smith’s death was a result of suicide.
In response, Middlebury College President Ian Baucom issued a heartfelt statement expressing the community’s sorrow and extending condolences to Smith’s family.
“I have spoken with Lia’s family to express my heartbreak,” Baucom wrote. “As president—and even more as a parent—I ache for them. This is a profound loss that no one should ever have to endure.”
He went on to commend the compassion and commitment shown by the college’s staff and students throughout the search and after the devastating confirmation.
“As we mourn, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our Student Affairs staff for their tireless and compassionate support of Lia’s family, her friends, and the broader campus community. We will continue to be here for them in every way possible.”
President Baucom also reflected on Smith’s vibrant presence at Middlebury, describing her as a gifted scholar and a passionate advocate.
“She was a diver on our Women’s Swimming and Diving Team, a member of our Chess and Japanese Clubs, and a dedicated advocate for transgender rights. Her academic pursuits were as impressive as her character—she was double majoring in computer science and statistics. Lia was a true gift to our community, and we will forever honor her as part of the Middlebury family.”
Having joined Middlebury in 2022, Smith quickly became known for her academic excellence and athletic achievements. As a member of the Women’s Swimming and Diving Team, she earned first-place finishes in both the one-meter and three-meter diving events during a December 2022 competition. Her teammates and coaches described her as talented, disciplined, and kind—a quiet yet powerful source of inspiration.
Smith was on track to graduate in May 2026. News of her passing has deeply shaken the Middlebury community, prompting an outpouring of grief and remembrance from students, faculty, and alumni across social media.
The college has announced plans to hold a campus vigil in her memory, offering a space for reflection, mourning, and celebration of her life.
May Lia Smith rest in peace.