To the Middlebury College Community: Today the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team resumed their search for Nicholas Garza, a first-year student at Middlebury College who has been missing since Tuesday, February 5. The team worked from 9 a.m. until dark in the Ridgeline area on the western edge of campus. The search — involving the Middlebury Police Department, the Vermont State Police and Middlebury’s own Department of Public Safety and Facilities Services Office — has so far turned up no sign of Nick.
The College will continue to work with the Middlebury Police Department to check snow banks along roadways, sidewalks and parking lots. After this effort and follow up work on current leads, the Middlebury Police Department may request additional help from the Vermont State Police, if necessary, to search further when the snow pack melts.
The missing persons investigation by the Middlebury Police Department, with help from the college’s Department of Public Safety, among others, is ongoing. We continue to urge anyone with information related to this case to contact the Middlebury Police (388-3191) or Public Safety (443-5911).
Our thanks go out to those who have taken part in the search, enduring long hours and harsh winter conditions, and to the Middlebury colleagues who have done so much to help support Nick’s family and friends.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family and friends of Nick.
Tim Spears
Dean of the College