The police in Vermont are still trying to piece together what happened to Lia Smith, a 21‑year‑old student who vanished from the Middlebury College campus last week. Smith, a trans woman originally from California, had been studying computer science and statistics and had also swum for the college’s women’s team.
Smith was last seen on campus on Friday night, around 9 p.m., and her family reported her missing the following Sunday. Since then, Middlebury Police, Vermont State Police, the New York State Police and the FBI have been working around the clock to locate her.
A Body Is Found Near Middlebury
On Thursday afternoon, the Vermont State Police located an unidentified body in a field west of Middlebury, near a place called The Knoll. The find was in Cornwall, just outside the college’s campus. Officers secured the area and launched a death investigation.
Investigators say they are waiting for an autopsy to confirm whether the body is Smith and to determine the cause and manner of death. The autopsy is scheduled for Friday in Burlington, Vermont. At this point, authorities have not ruled the death suspicious, though they have been alert to every possibility.
How the Search Began
Middlebury Police chased down leads using ground searches and drones over several days. When progress stalled, they called in state and federal resources. The college’s administration has described the situation as “extraordinary” and has pledged support to Smith’s family and the campus community.
“We’re doing everything we can to support our community right now,” President Ian Baucom said in a statement posted on Instagram. “I know that this is difficult news to receive as we continue to hold Lia and her loved ones close in our hearts.”
About the College and the Community
Middlebury College is a well‑known “Little Ivy” private liberal‑arts institution with an enrollment of around 2,800 undergraduates. The campus sits in Vermont’s Champlain Valley and is home to many students who have studied here directly after high school. The unexpected disappearance of Smith has shocked students, faculty, and the surrounding towns.
What’s Next for the Investigation?
The investigation is still in its early stages. Once the autopsy report is available, officials will decide if further forensic work is needed. For now, they are treating the case like any other unsolved missing‑person scenario, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and sharing updates with the public.
Families of victims and the students at Middlebury are told to stay tuned to official channels for new information. If anyone has new details or knows of a “Lewis” or “Mid‑town” area in Vermont, they are urged to contact the Vermont State Police or the Middlebury Police Department immediately.
Source: Fox News
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