Former Middlebury faculty member and retired Dean of Vermont State University Castleton Honoree Fleming was fatally shot last week on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail just south of Castleton’s campus and 30 miles south of Middlebury, according to the Vermont State Police.
Fleming’s body was found by a passerby on the trail on Thursday, Oct. 5 at around 4:30 p.m. and was reported to the Vermont State Police (VSP), launching a large manhunt and the closure of the Castleton campus through the weekend. The Vermont Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was homicide, according to State Police.
“Scores of students benefited from Dr. Fleming’s teachings and research,” Vermont State University Castleton wrote in a Facebook post announcing her death on Oct. 7.
Fleming was an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Middlebury from 1988 to 1994. She is remembered fondly by long-time Middlebury faculty members Jay Parini, D. E. Axinn professor of English and Creative Writing and Julia Alvarez ’71, writer-in-residence emerita.
“She was an inspired teacher and beloved mentor at Middlebury and elsewhere,” Parini wrote in an email to The Campus.
Alvarez became friends with Fleming and her family after they met at the Bread Loaf Writers Conference in the early 1980s. “When they came to Middlebury, I realized, wow, this gentle woman always curious about you was actually a fine chemist and smart researcher — she had kept her own professional achievements quiet,” Alvarez wrote in an email to The Campus. “She met you as a person first. A radiant presence, solid and genuine.”
Alvarez said that she somewhat lost touch with Fleming and her family when they moved down to Castleton, but remained connected through Parini. “I kept up with them through Jay Parini, and I was glad that she and Ron found a warm welcome in that college and community,” Alvarez wrote.
The suspect in the shooting is still at large. State Police are asking the public, businesses and hunters in the Castleton area to review their surveillance systems in order to gain any more information about the shooting. In a police report issued Monday afternoon, Vermont State Police reported that detectives have received over 200 tips since Thursday. The report also wrote that police have been “interviewing potential witnesses, nearby residents and people who were on the trail around the time of the shooting, among other individuals.”
Although the suspect is still under investigation, Middlebury’s campus is not said to be under any threat. “The Department of Public Safety is communicating closely with the Middlebury Police Department (MPD) regarding this incident, and at this time, MPD has indicated that there is no information to suggest any threat to our community,” Middlebury Public Safety wrote in an email to the college community Saturday afternoon.
“Honoree was a part of the Castleton family and was beloved by faculty, staff, and students. This is an unbelievable tragedy for the Castleton campus and for all of Vermont State University. Honoree will be deeply missed,” Vermont State University said in a statement.
Fleming’s impact among faculty members at Middlebury remains, as well. “I’ll never forget our countless conversations — often after a lovely meal. May she rest in deep peace,” Parini wrote.
This is an ongoing investigation, and anyone who knows anything related to the incident is encouraged to contact authorities. Vermont State Police request that anything suspicious be reported to them by calling 802-773-9101 or by completing an anonymous report on their website.
Catherine Goodrich '24 (she/her) is an Arts and Culture Editor.
She previously served as a staff writer. Catherine is an English major and Film minor hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. She is the prose editor for Blackbird Literary Arts Journal and works concessions at the Middlebury Marquis where she's developed a love of trivia.
Susanna Schatz ‘24 (she/her) is the Senior News Editor.
She previously served as Local Editor, Staff Writer, and Visuals Artist for The Campus. She is an English major and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies minor.
Susanna is the social media and marketing intern for a small business started by Midd Alums, Treeline Terrains. In her free time you’ll find her taking in the Vermont outdoors hiking, swimming, skiing, reading in an Adirondack chair, or painting the scenery.
