SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) – Authorities are set to continue their search on Thursday at a home linked to Paul Flores, the man convicted of murdering 19-year-old Kristin Smart in 1996. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation into Smart's disappearance. Despite extensive efforts, her remains have never been located, and she was declared legally dead in 2002.
Paul Flores was found guilty in October 2022 and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for his role in Smart's death. The search on Wednesday took place at a residence in Arroyo Grande occupied by Flores’ mother, Susan Flores. According to public records and reports from the "Your Own Backyard" podcast, which has been pivotal in pushing the case forward by bringing additional witnesses to light, the home is significant in the investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized their commitment to finding Kristin Smart, stating, “No further information is available,” reflecting the ongoing efforts to provide closure to her family. The podcast "Your Own Backyard" was crucial in the case, helping investigators draw attention to important details and witnesses. Attempts to contact Susan Flores for a comment on the search were unsuccessful.
Kristin Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University in May 1996 after leaving an off-campus party. Prosecutors argued that she was killed during an attempted rape, with Paul Flores being the last individual seen with her. In 2021, both Paul Flores and his father, Ruben Flores, were arrested. Prosecutors suggested that Smart's remains were buried on Ruben Flores’ property but later moved; Ruben was acquitted of accessory charges. It should be noted that the property searched on Wednesday is separate from the one linked to Ruben Flores.
In March 2023, Paul Flores was sentenced to prison, where he has reportedly faced physical attacks on multiple occasions. Furthermore, in a 2024 ruling, a judge mandated that he pay over $350,000 to Kristin Smart’s family to cover expenses incurred following her disappearance. The Smart family has indicated they would waive the restitution if Flores could disclose the location of Kristin's remains. Flores, who continues to assert his innocence, claims that his defense team is unaware of where her body is located.
The local district attorney’s office is working alongside the sheriff’s office in this investigation. District Attorney Dan Dow stated, “While those responsible for Kristin's death—and those with knowledge of her whereabouts—could provide answers at any time, we remain firmly committed to using every lawful tool available to locate Kristin's remains and to support her family until she is brought home.” This reflects the authorities' ongoing dedication to resolving the case and providing answers to the Smart family.
Despite the passage of years since Kristin Smart's disappearance, the investigation continues to gather momentum as law enforcement remains tenacious in their efforts to uncover the truth and locate her remains.
