Missing student Lia Smith, 21, found dead on farm – autopsy report reveals tragic details

Lia Smith, the missing Middlebury College student who disappeared earlier this month, has officially been confirmed dead.

As per reports, the 21-year-old was reported missing by her father on Sunday, October 19, two days after she was last seen on campus.

Tragically, a press release issued by the Vermont Police Department confirmed that a body recovered from close to the campus last Thursday, October 23, is that of the vanished collegiate swimmer.

After a large-scale search began, authorities deployed drones and conducted ground sweeps, later widening their efforts to the wooded areas on and around the Middlebury College in Vermont.

Last Wednesday, October 22, the search was ramped up, drawing in multiple agencies including the Middlebury Fire Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team.

The search came to a heartbreaking end a day later, Thursday, October 23, when a body was found in a field near The Knoll, Middlebury College’s organic farm, at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Lia Smith was reported missing on October 19. Credit: Facebook/Middlebury College

The victim was soon identified as Smith, with an initial investigation finding no signs of foul play.

According to the aforementioned press release from the Vermont Police Department, the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Smith had died by suicide.

After the devastating news broke, Middlebury College President Ian Baucom issued a statement expressing the institution’s profound sadness.

“I have spoken with Lia’s family to express my heartbreak. As president, and far more as a fellow parent, I ache for them. This is a profound loss that nobody should have to endure,” Baucom wrote on Facebook.

“As we mourn, I want to express my deep appreciation for the efforts of our Student Affairs staff who have been offering such compassionate support to Lia’s family, friends and students across our community. We will continue to support them in every way possible,” Baucom continued.

“She was a diver on our Women’s Swimming and Diving team, a member of our Chess and Japanese clubs, and an articulate advocate of transgender rights. Her academic interests were broad, and she was pursuing a double major in computer science and statistics. She was a gift to us, and we are so grateful that she was — and will always remain — a member of our Middlebury family.”

According to reports, Smith joined the Women’s Swimming and Diving team after enrolling at Middlebury College in 2022. She won both the one-meter and three-meter diving events during a December tournament that year.

The 21-year-old was set to graduate from Middlebury College in May 2026.

Related Posts

Patrick Muldoon’s sister reveals tragic details of his final moments before sudden death

Patrick Muldoon passed away on April 19. Credit / Getty Images Patrick Muldoon’s sister has described his death as a “nightmare” she can’t wake up from. Muldoon,…

Nancy Sinatra issues 3-word attack at Donald Trump as he posts video of Frank Sinatra singing

Donald Trump, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra. Credit: Shutterstock.com, Getty Images Donald Trump posted a video of Frank Sinatra singing his hit “My Way” on social media, sparking…

Ariana Grande’s COVID-19 Update: What It Reveals About Early Symptoms and Staying Prepared

When Ariana Grande shared that she had tested positive for COVID-19, the news spread quickly, sparking concern and curiosity among fans. Her message was short, but it pointed to…

The Quiet Kindness I Almost Missed

My grandmother, Margaret Harper, lived in a way that many people would call simple, even overly careful. She rinsed and reused plastic bags, saved bits of string…

A Hollywood Farewell and a High-Stakes Gamble: Legacy Meets Risk

The passing of Peter Meyer has left a quiet but profound void in the entertainment world. Known for guiding major figures like Tom Hanks and Kevin Costner, Meyer built a reputation not…

Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins’ chilling remarks before killing his 7 kids and their cousin

Authorities in Shreveport responded early Sunday to reports of a domestic disturbance that escalated into a devastating घटना. According to police, eight children—seven of them the suspect’s…