VT VT - Lia Smith, 21, Middlebury College student, last seen 9pm on campus, Middlebury, 17 Oct 2025

[swanniee11]

It's in the first article that was linked in the opening of the thread. I didn't catch it the first time either. It stated "
"Middlebury police on Sunday evening said they are looking for Lia P. Smith, who was last seen on campus on Friday evening. . . .
. . . . Smith was last seen at 9 p.m. on Oct. 17."

I did read that but I didn't see that she was in a building,only on campus. I don't think it's important it just stood out to me. Thanks

 

[Pseudonymph]

The Middlebury College Women's Swimming & Diving team roster does not show Lia Smith as a team member in 2024-2025, 2023-2024, or 2022-2023. The Addison County Independent article referenced in post #2 states that she "competed as a diver for Middlebury's aquatics team". I haven't been able to figure out how to find meet results from prior seasons.

It's possible that's a rec team and not the official team.

 

[GraceG]

It's possible that's a rec team and not the official team.

It looks ilke they use the term "Aquatics Team" separately from the "Swimming and Diving Team" the Aquatics team including sailing, rowing, and their water polo club activities. The Aquatics Team is a Club Team as opposed to a Varsity Team. Athletics.

 

[truthfinder2019]

The Middlebury College Women's Swimming & Diving team roster does not show Lia Smith as a team member in 2024-2025, 2023-2024, or 2022-2023. The Addison County Independent article referenced in post #2 states that she "competed as a diver for Middlebury's aquatics team". I haven't been able to figure out how to find meet results from prior seasons.

In the middle of the 2024 photo IMO is Lia

2025 Panther Challenge - Middlebury College - Official Athletics Website

2025 Panther Challenge

athletics.middlebury.edu

https://athletics.middlebury.edu/images/2024/2/24/WSDTeam24NESCAC.JPG?width=1024&height=682

Prayers she is safe

 

[Eli9]

Lia participated, as a panel member in February this year, entitled “What is the Right Approach on Public Policy and Transgender Medicine?”

College-sponsored transgender healthcare talk receives backlash, inspires alternative talk - The Middlebury Campus

Middlebury hosted a talk attended by about 120 students on Feb. 20 titled “What is the Right Approach on Public Policy and Transgender Medicine?” in Wilson Hall in McCullough Student Center. The talk featured two speakers invited by the Alexander Hamilton Forum: Leor Sapir of the Manhattan...

www.middleburycampus.com

transgender collegiate athletes like Smith, who acknowledged that new reality but shared that there is a strong support network for transgender individuals at Middlebury.


“Know that there are people in your community that are here for you and care about you,” she said.

 

[truthfinder2019]

College Student, 21, Reported Missing Days After Disappearing from Campus

Police in Vermont are seeking the public’s help in locating a 21-year-old woman who vanished from her college campus.

people.com

Lia is from California
Her dad reported her missing
Search includes the use of drones

I hate to think about the vicinity of Otter creek.

 

[Izzylizzy]

While Vermont is generally more tolerant and liberal on social issues, we are not immune to bigotry and hate here. No community is. Until we have more details, though, it's difficult to know whether being a trans woman has anything to do with her disappearance, and whether violence or self-harm are involved. It could be related to academics, personal relationships, etc. I hope she is OK and found soon. Her parents must be frantic.

Vermonter here too, Southern.
Yes, bigotry, hate, drugs and violence

 

[truthfinder2019]

Lia participated, as a panel member in February this year, entitled “What is the Right Approach on Public Policy and Transgender Medicine?”

College-sponsored transgender healthcare talk receives backlash, inspires alternative talk - The Middlebury Campus

Middlebury hosted a talk attended by about 120 students on Feb. 20 titled “What is the Right Approach on Public Policy and Transgender Medicine?” in Wilson Hall in McCullough Student Center. The talk featured two speakers invited by the Alexander Hamilton Forum: Leor Sapir of the Manhattan...

www.middleburycampus.com

transgender collegiate athletes like Smith, who acknowledged that new reality but shared that there is a strong support network for transgender individuals at Middlebury.


“Know that there are people in your community that are here for you and care about you,” she said.

Another article , with a photo of Lia

Students and community turn out for their trans peers | Addison Independent

www.addisonindependent.com

Middlebury College junior Lia Smith, a trans woman who competed as a diver for Middlebury’s aquatics team, has seen a change over her career in sports.

“There’s been a shift, and as much as trans athletes were disliked before, now it’s definitely coming back to the forefront again,” she said at a Trans Healthcare and Politics panel held in Dana Auditorium this past Thursday

Lia’s LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-smith-7b044b258

 

[borndem]

Hoping for good news soon, and thinking about her dad who must be at his wit's end.

 

[Izzylizzy]

This stands out to me. Why would the police say she's not in trouble, nobody's in trouble "for this"? Also, how would publicization of their investigative procedures hinder their search efforts?

If she did leave on her own accord she should know what disappearing would do to her parents and loved ones so I'm curious if she did voluntary leave was it for something that she was so ashamed of, like being expelled for it or losing a scholarship?
We don't know her relationship with her parents/family and if she was accepted.
The info given by LE is scant and we don't even know if she has a car and if the car is missing, or if she could be on foot?
imo

 

[GraceG]

I did read that but I didn't see that she was in a building,only on campus. I don't think it's important it just stood out to me. Thanks

Found it! A better description of where she was seen on campus was posted in an update posted by the College's official Facebook Page. Since it's FB and not a LE site not linking but the post was up yesterday a little after 4 pm.