A body has been found during the search for a missing Vermont college student who was last seen on campus nearly a week ago.
Lia Smith, 21, was last seen on Middlebury College’s campus on the night of Oct. 19 and was reported missing that Sunday, the school posted on Facebook.
On Thursday, the Vermont State Police and rescue crews found a body around 1:30 p.m. in a field just west of the Middlebury College campus, the Middlebury Police Department announced.
The remains were discovered near the college’s organic farm, known as The Knoll.
State police said they have opened a death investigation.
The remains are being sent to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for a Friday autopsy to confirm the identity and determine how the person died.
“Initial investigation does not indicate that the death is suspicious,” the Middlebury Police Department said.
Middlebury College President Ian Baucom said in a statement on Instagram Thursday that the college is “doing all we can to support our community right now.”
“It’s heartbreaking news, and we’re doing all we can to support our community right now,” Baucom said, noting that the school will keep the community informed as new details emerge.
“I know that this is extraordinarily difficult news to receive as we continue to hold Lia and all her family and friends tight in our hearts. As ever, please care for yourselves and one another.”
An extensive search had been launched to locate the missing student, involving aerial drones and targeted ground searches in wooded areas on and around the Middlebury College campus.
College staff were also checking all campus buildings during the search, the school said.
The Vermont State Police Victim Services Unit is assisting Smith’s family, while the Middlebury Police Department is receiving additional support from the FBI and the New York State Police.
More than 600 students from Middlebury College also joined a GroupMe to exchange updates on the search, NBC 5 reported.
“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,” Leo Smith, a freshman at the college, told the outlet.
“We’re a really small community,” added 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 not to be.”
The Vermont State Police and Middlebury Police Department extended their appreciation to federal, state, and local partners — and to the college staff and volunteers — for their support during the search for Smith over the past week.
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