Body Found Near Middlebury Campus; Autopsy Underway

Lia Smith, a 21-year-old Middlebury College senior who had been reported missing after last being seen on campus, was the subject of multi-agency searches that included the FBI, Vermont State Police, New York State Police, Border Patrol, search-and-rescue teams and drones. On Oct. 23, Vermont State Police search teams located a body in a field west of Middlebury’s campus near the college’s organic farm. Authorities said a death investigation and autopsy are underway to confirm the identity and determine cause and manner of death, and initial findings do not indicate suspicious circumstances. Officials are withholding the deceased’s identity pending the autopsy and have asked anyone with information to contact Middlebury Police.