Police have located a body during their search for a Middlebury College student who has been missing for nearly a week.Top video: See previous coverageThe discovery came as the search for 21-year-old Lia Smith intensified after days of looking. Smith was last seen on campus on Friday night and was reported missing on Sunday.On Thursday afternoon, around 1:30 p.m., Vermont State Police said they located an unidentified body in a field west of the Middlebury College campus.The location where the body was found is in the town of Cornwall near The Knoll, the college’s organic farm.Police said they secured the area and began a death investigation. At this time, officials are awaiting an autopsy to confirm the identity of the victim and to determine the cause and manner of death. That autopsy is scheduled to take place on Friday.At this time, investigators said they do not believe the death is suspicious.Both the Vermont State Police and the Middlebury Police Department thanked all the federal, state and local officials, as well as the college staff and volunteers who aided in the search for Smith over the last week. On Wednesday, Vermont State Police and New York State Police joined in efforts to locate Smith, along with members of the FBI. Police initially said they would hold a live press update on Thursday afternoon, but canceled it shortly before it was set to begin.The Middlebury Police Department called in additional agencies to help after trying to find Smith using ground searches and drones for several days.Lia’s classmates helped in the search as well. More than 600 Middlebury students have joined an online GroupMe to share updates. They told our crew earlier this week that they were just happy to do their part in finding her.”I feel like everyone has an obligation to show to everyone that’s not part of the Middlebury community how we show up for our own,” said freshman Leo Smith.”We’re a really small community,” said senior Lucy Schembre. “Even if you don’t know someone personally, you definitely know somebody who knows them, and you’ve definitely seen them around. It’s very jarring for somebody who’s supposed to be here, to not be here.” Anyone with information about Smith is asked to contact the Middlebury Police Department or Vermont State Police.
Police have located a body during their search for a Middlebury College student who has been missing for nearly a week.
Top video: See previous coverage
The discovery came as the search for 21-year-old Lia Smith intensified after days of looking. Smith was last seen on campus on Friday night and was reported missing on Sunday.
On Thursday afternoon, around 1:30 p.m., Vermont State Police said they located an unidentified body in a field west of the Middlebury College campus.
The location where the body was found is in the town of Cornwall near The Knoll, the college’s organic farm.
Police said they secured the area and began a death investigation. At this time, officials are awaiting an autopsy to confirm the identity of the victim and to determine the cause and manner of death. That autopsy is scheduled to take place on Friday.
At this time, investigators said they do not believe the death is suspicious.
Both the Vermont State Police and the Middlebury Police Department thanked all the federal, state and local officials, as well as the college staff and volunteers who aided in the search for Smith over the last week.
On Wednesday, Vermont State Police and New York State Police joined in efforts to locate Smith, along with members of the FBI.
Police initially said they would hold a live press update on Thursday afternoon, but canceled it shortly before it was set to begin.
The Middlebury Police Department called in additional agencies to help after trying to find Smith using ground searches and drones for several days.
Lia’s classmates helped in the search as well. More than 600 Middlebury students have joined an online GroupMe to share updates. They told our crew earlier this week that they were just happy to do their part in finding her.
“I feel like everyone has an obligation to show to everyone that’s not part of the Middlebury community how we show up for our own,” said freshman Leo Smith.
“We’re a really small community,” said senior Lucy Schembre. “Even if you don’t know someone personally, you definitely know somebody who knows them, and you’ve definitely seen them around. It’s very jarring for somebody who’s supposed to be here, to not be here.”
Anyone with information about Smith is asked to contact the Middlebury Police Department or Vermont State Police.