Lia Smith, 21, of California, a Middlebury College senior who was reported missing Oct. 19, 2025.

Police in Vermont have found a body in the search for a missing Middlebury College student.

Lia Smith, 21, was last seen on Oct. 17 and reported missing two days later, according to a release from the Middlebury Police Department.

On Oct. 23, Vermont State Police found a body — which has not yet been identified — during their search for Smith. Officials have begun a death investigation, but the death does not appear suspicious based on early indications, officials said in a release.

The medical examiner's office is set to perform an autopsy and identify the body on Oct. 24, officials said.

Middlebury College, which has been providing updates on its website, said it has been working with law enforcement officials throughout the investigation.

"We will do everything we can to find Lia. She is a beloved member of our Middlebury family and there is nothing more important than the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students and of our entire community," a statement posted on Oct. 20 said.

Middlebury College is a liberal arts college in Middlebury, Vermont, about 35 miles south of Burlington.

What we know about the search for VT college student Lia Smith

Smith was last seen in a building on campus at around 9 p.m. on Oct. 17. Here's a timeline of what happened next.

  • Oct. 19: According to the Middlebury Campus, Middlebury College's student newspaper, Smith's father reported her missing after he was unable to reach her. Middlebury Police began its search using on the ground teams and drones for aerial coverage. Other agencies, including Vermont State Police and the FBI, later joined the search, per a news release.
  • Oct. 22: After days without finding her, local officials and agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection began a larger-scale search of wooded areas on and adjacent to the college's campus, according to a news release.
  • Oct. 23: State police located a body in a field west of campus. The area, in the town of Cornwall, is near The Knoll, the college’s organic farm, police said.

Anyone with information about Smith or her whereabouts is asked to contact the Middlebury Police Department at 802-388-3191 or submit an online tip at www.middleburypolice.org.

Missing VT college student is CA native, former athlete

Smith is originally from California and is a senior at Middlebury College, police said.

She is studying computer science and statistics, according to her LinkedIn profile.

The 21-year-old also formerly competed on the school's swimming and diving team, according to Middlebury Athletics' website and Smith's LinkedIn.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police find body in search for missing Vermont college student Lia Smith

Reporting by Melina Khan, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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