Missing College Student Lia Smith, 21, Found Dead – Autopsy Report Reveals Heartbreaking Details

It began as every parent's worst nightmare — a bright young college student vanishes without a trace, sparking an urgent search that gripped a small Vermont town. And now, the heartbreaking truth has come to light.

Lia Smith, a 21-year-old Middlebury College student, was found dead nearly a week after she was first reported missing. The discovery ends days of frantic searching, unanswered questions, and growing fear across the campus community.

Lia Smith | Source: Facebook/Middlebury College

The Search That Consumed a Town

Smith was last seen on Friday night, October 17, on the Middlebury College campus. When she didn't return, her friends and professors raised the alarm — and by Sunday, October 19, the Middlebury Police Department had launched a full-scale search.

Authorities deployed drones, conducted ground sweeps, and expanded efforts to wooded areas both on and around the campus. At the department's request, college staff scoured every building, hoping to find some trace of the missing student.

By Wednesday, October 22, the search had drawn in multiple agencies, including the Middlebury Fire Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and even the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team. Game wardens, volunteer dog teams, and residents joined forces in an all-out effort to bring Smith home.

Middlebury College Campus, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

The Heartbreaking Discovery

That hope shattered on Thursday, October 23, at approximately 1:30 p.m., when searchers made a grim discovery — a body in a field west of campus, near The Knoll, Middlebury College's organic farm. The victim was soon identified as Smith.

Authorities confirmed the initial investigation found no signs of foul play. On Friday, October 24, the medical examiner determined that Smith's death was a suicide.

'A Profound Loss Nobody Should Have to Endure'

After Smith was reported missing, Middlebury College took to Facebook on Monday, October 20, to spread the word, pleading for help in finding her. When the devastating news finally broke, Middlebury College President Ian Baucom delivered a statement that left the community in stunned silence.

"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.

He went on to praise the tireless work of Student Affairs staff and the Middlebury Police Department, expressing gratitude for their relentless efforts in finding Lia and supporting her grieving family. Baucom also spoke tenderly of the young woman he'd come to know in the last few days, describing her as a remarkable person.

"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," he shared. "She was a gift to us and we are so grateful that she was — and will always remain — a member of our Middlebury family."

'Were All in This Life Together'

As news of her death spread, messages of sorrow and disbelief flooded social media."She probably was in a great deal of pain. This is so sad. Life can be tough at times. We need to start looking out for each other. We're all in this life together. Be kind!!" one person urged.

"Keeping Lia's family and campus community in my heart," another wrote. "Lia was an amazing friend to our daughter, and an incredible human. We all adored her!! Our hearts are broken. Can't imagine the grief her family is dealing with," a third shared.

But not everyone accepted the explanation. "I truly hope 'suicide' isn't being used as a coverup. Yep. I said it. Think about it. Really hard. Either way, the loss of Lia's life is an absolute tragedy," one commenter said. "This world is a hateful place. Who or what made her feel like she wasn't worthy of being here?"

A Life of Promise, Cut Short

Lia Smith was a star student — bright, ambitious, and driven. She hailed from Woodside, California, where she attended Sacred Heart Preparatory School before enrolling at Middlebury College in 2022. She joined the Women's Swimming and Diving team, winning both the one-meter and three-meter events during a December tournament that year.

According to her LinkedIn, in mid-2023, Smith studied at Stanford University, completing Math 51, a challenging course that combined linear algebra, multivariable calculus, and modern applications. She later interned at tech giant Smule as a data analyst in both 2024 and 2025. She was set to graduate from Middlebury College in May 2026 — a milestone she now will never get to realize.