The Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, performed an autopsy on the individual whose body was found Thursday afternoon in Middlebury.
The autopsy confirmed the person’s identity as Lia Smith, 21, of Woodside, California, who was reported missing Sunday from the Middlebury College campus. The medical examiner determined the manner of Lia’s death was a suicide.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

