The Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Smith died by suicide, per the release.

PEOPLE reached out to both the VPD and the Medical Examiner’s Office for comment on Saturday, Oct. 25, but did not receive an immediate response.

Middlebury College president Ian Baucom announced the news to the campus community in a statement on Facebook on Saturday, sharing that he had spoken to Smith’s family and expressed his “heartbreak” to them.

“As president, and far more as a fellow parent, I ache for them. This is a profound loss that nobody should have to endure,” he continued.

“As we mourn, I want to express my deep appreciation for the efforts of our Student Affairs staff who have been offering such compassionate support to Lia’s family