Missing Vermont College Student Lia Smith Has Been Confirmed Dead, Medical Examiner Releases Her Manner of Death
MIDDLEBURY, Vermont — The community at Middlebury and beyond is reeling after the confirmation that 21-year-old Lia Smith has died. The body, found near the campus of Middlebury College, has been positively identified by the state medical examiner’s office. Her death has been ruled a suicide, and authorities say there are no indications of foul play.
The Timeline
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Lia Smith, a senior at Middlebury College studying computer science and statistics, was last seen on campus on Friday evening, October 17, 2025, around 9:00 p.m.
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On Sunday, October 19, Smith’s father filed a missing persons report after she could not be reached and had failed to respond to phone calls or contact friends.
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A large-scale search involving the Vermont State Police (VSP), the college’s police, drones and ground teams, and multiple law-enforcement agencies was launched.
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On Thursday, October 23 at about 1:30 p.m., search teams found a human body in a field west of the college campus in the town of Cornwall, near “The Knoll,” an organic farm affiliated with Middlebury.
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On Friday, October 24, the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office released its findings: the body is that of Lia Smith and the manner of death is suicide.
Who She Was
Lia Smith hailed from Woodside, California, and had made a mark on the Middlebury campus in several ways:
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She was a double major in computer science and statistics.
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She competed on the women’s swimming & diving team.
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She was involved in campus organizations, including the Chess Club, the Japanese Club and Women in Computer Science.
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She was also known for her advocacy on transgender rights, speaking out as a transgender student-athleth
Middlebury College President Ian Baucom called her “a remarkable person … a gift to us and we are so grateful that she was—and will always remain—a member of our Middlebury family.”
The Community Response
The news has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Middlebury College community. In his communications to faculty, staff and students, President Baucom acknowledged the profound sadness of these events and emphasised that the college will continue to support students, staff and the broader community as they process this loss.
Search efforts were extensive and heartfelt, involving students, faculty, local and state law enforcement, search-and-rescue teams and volunteers.
Mental Health & Advocacy
Given the circumstances of Lia’s death and her role as a student-advocate, the incident has revived critical conversations around mental health, hardship in college life, and support systems for LGBTQ+ students and athletes. Lia’s advocacy on transgender health care and visibility made her a meaningful figure on campus, and her loss highlights the need for accessible services, compassionate community response and proactive mental-health outreach.
Middlebury’s administration has shared information about mental-health and crisis resources, urging any students, staff or community members who are struggling to reach out for help.
What Happens Next
— The college is planning memorial gatherings and support sessions in the coming days for students, staff and faculty.
— Investigators say the death does not appear suspicious, and no foul play
— The college’s message emphasises care for oneself and for the community (“Please continue to extend care and compassion to one another and to yourselves,” Baucom wrote).
Why This Matters
While every life lost is unique and irreplaceable, Lia Smith’s passing touches on many broader issues in higher education and society:
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The pressures on students balancing academics, athletics, activism and personal identity.
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The particular vulnerabilities faced by transgender students and student-athletes in campus life.
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The importance of early intervention and accessible mental health care on college campuses.
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The power of community — how peers, faculty, staff, and local authorities rallied together in the search.
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The profound ripple effect of one life: Lia’s story has resonated with many inside and outside the Middlebury campus.
A Final Note
Lia Smith’s death is a deep loss. Though she will no longer walk the corridors of Middlebury College, her presence will be felt through her impact: in the students she inspired, in the initiatives she supported, and in the community she helped shape.
For anyone reading this who is experiencing distress, needing someone to talk to, or supporting someone in crisis: you are not alone. Here in the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; chat is available at 988lifeline.org.
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