Three years after Paul Flores was convicted of murdering Kristin Smart, law enforcement is searching his mother’s home in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County.
The search, which began on Wednesday, aims to find Smart’s remains, as her body has never been recovered since her disappearance in 1996. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they served a search warrant at the property in the 500 block of East Branch Street.
Smart, a 19-year-old student at California Polytechnic State University, vanished on May 25, 1996, after attending a party near the campus. Flores, who was convicted in 2022, was the last person seen with her. Despite the conviction, Smart’s body has not been found, and the search for her remains continues.
The Sheriff’s Office stated, “The investigation is related to the Kristin Smart disappearance. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to bringing Kristin home to her family.” According to Noozhawk, the search is ongoing and involves soil sampling and ground-penetrating radar.
Investigative journalist Chris Lambert, who created the “Your Own Backyard” podcast, highlighted the significance of Susan Flores’ property in the investigation. He noted that new scientific advancements, such as ground-penetrating radar, have prompted this renewed search. “We know she’s been moved, so where is she moved to? So we’re hunting that down,” Sheriff Ian Parkinson told the “Up + Adam” podcast.
The search is expected to last several days, with investigators determined to leave no stone unturned. The Smart family has not yet commented on the latest developments. Denise Smart, Kristin’s mother, previously expressed that the case would not be over until her daughter’s remains are found. “There’s no finality for us,” she said.
This ongoing investigation continues to capture national attention, with hopes that it will finally bring closure to the Smart family.
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