The search for Lia Smith, a 21-year-old Middlebury College student who vanished earlier this month, has ended in tragedy.
Authorities confirmed that Lia, who had been missing for nearly a week, was found dead near the college grounds — a devastating conclusion that has left her family, friends, and the wider campus community in deep mourning.
According to reports, Lia was reported missing by her father on Sunday, October 19, just two days after she was last seen on campus.
Concern quickly spread among students and faculty as the days passed with no sign of her whereabouts. A Massive Search Effort. Following the missing person report, the Vermont State Police launched an extensive, multi-agency search that spanned several days and involved both local and federal resources. Authorities deployed drones, K9 units, and ground search teams, combing through dense wooded areas surrounding…
