Sat Oct 25 09:10:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Middlebury College Student Lia Smith Found Dead, Ruled Suicide
MIDDLEBURY, VT – October 27, 2023 – The body found near Middlebury College’s The Knoll on Thursday has been identified as 21-year-old Lia Smith, a senior at the college, Vermont State Police confirmed Friday evening. Smith, originally from Woodside, California, had been missing since Friday evening, prompting an extensive search effort throughout the week.
Smith’s father reported her missing to the Middlebury Police Department on Sunday, after he was unable to reach her by phone. The search escalated throughout the week, involving Middlebury College Public Safety, Middlebury Police Department, Vermont State Police, drone searches and volunteer search parties.
The Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team located the body in a field west of campus at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23. The body was taken to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, where an autopsy was conducted Friday. The medical examiner determined the manner of Lia’s death was a suicide.
“This is incredibly saddening news, and we are working to support our community in every way we can at this difficult time,” wrote Middlebury College President Ian Balcom in a message to the community Thursday.
Smith was a double major in computer science and statistics and a member of the Panther women’s swimming and diving team.
Vermont State Police are leading the death investigation, with assistance from the Middlebury Police Department and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. Authorities expressed gratitude to the numerous agencies, college personnel, and volunteers who assisted in the search.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people in distress. Prevention and crisis resources are available for you or your loved ones.
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