Lia Smith Death and Obituary – The Middlebury, Vermont community is mourning after authorities discovered a body believed to be that of 21-year-old Lia Smith, a student at Middlebury College who had been reported missing on October 19, 2025. The Vermont State Police confirmed that the body was located on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in a field west of the college campus, near a farm known as The Knoll—a quiet and scenic area often frequented by students.
According to law enforcement reports, the body was found during a comprehensive week-long search effort involving the Vermont State Police, Middlebury Police Department, and local volunteers. Search teams scoured wooded areas, trails, and open fields surrounding the college, focusing particularly on rural parts of Addison County. The discovery brought an end to several days of uncertainty and fear for both Smith’s family and the college community.
While the discovery marks a tragic conclusion to the search, authorities have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. Preliminary evidence gathered from the scene does not suggest foul play, according to an initial statement from Vermont State Police. However, officials are awaiting the results of an autopsy, which is expected to confirm both the identity of the deceased and the official cause of death.
Law enforcement officials have also indicated that until formal identification is made by the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, they will not definitively confirm that the body is Lia Smith’s. Nonetheless, the location and description of the discovery have led investigators to believe that it is likely her.
News of the discovery has sent waves of grief through the Middlebury College community. Vigils and gatherings are already being planned by students and faculty to honor Smith’s memory. The college released a brief statement offering condolences to Lia’s family and reaffirming its commitment to supporting students affected by the tragedy.
“Lia was a beloved member of our campus community whose energy, kindness, and compassion touched many lives,” the college’s statement read. “Our hearts are with her family and friends as we navigate this profound loss together.”
Counseling services have been made available on campus to help students cope with the emotional impact of the incident.
As the investigation continues, Lia Smith’s family and friends await confirmation and answers about what led to her untimely death. Though early reports suggest no foul play, the official autopsy will determine the circumstances surrounding her passing.
For now, the community remembers Lia as a bright and compassionate young woman whose presence enriched the Middlebury campus. Her death marks a heartbreaking chapter for a college town now united in grief and remembrance.