Nearly thirty years after Kristin Smart went missing from California Polytechnic State University, investigators have uncovered human remains near the home of her killer’s mother in San Luis Obispo County.
Kristin, a college freshman, disappeared during Memorial Day weekend in 1996 after attending an off-campus party. The last person seen with her was Paul Flores, a fellow student, who walked her back toward her dorm and has long been suspected of killing her, possibly during an attempted sexual assault.
Even though Kristin’s body was never found initially, the case took a significant turn in 2022 when Flores was found guilty of first-degree murder and handed a sentence of 25 years to life. His father, Ruben Flores, was acquitted of charges concerning the concealment of her body. The recent finding of remains marks an important milestone in the long quest for closure for Kristin’s family.
“Based on the evidence we’re examining, we believe human remains were once present or may still be there,” said San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson during a news conference. “We can’t definitively say they are Kristin’s, but we have reason to believe these are human remains,” he added.
Reports indicate that investigators carried out a forensic search at the home of Susan Flores, Paul’s mother. They used advanced methods, like ground-penetrating radar and soil testing, to detect signs consistent with human decomposition.
Sheriff Parkinson noted that these techniques provided promising results, indicating that human remains may have been buried on the property, which significantly strengthens the evidence collected over the years.
“Our search continues, and it’s hard to predict how long we’ll be there. The warrant we obtained requires the residents to vacate the home and not return, which is normal,” explained Parkinson.
The recent activity at the Flores residence was sparked by a mix of forensic findings and new investigative leads, which ultimately established sufficient probable cause to issue a warrant after nearly three decades since Smart’s disappearance.
The case went cold for years, despite numerous search attempts, but local law enforcement has remained committed to finding Kristin’s remains. District Attorney Dan Dow reiterated this determination, stating that they aim to bring closure to the Smart family after so much time has elapsed.
“Since Paul Flores was convicted, our office has worked closely with the Sheriff’s Office to uphold our promise to the Smart family and the community: to bring Kristin home,” Dow remarked.
Both the Smart family and the lead investigators are cautiously hopeful that these new developments will lead to the recovery of her remains. It’s a delicate balance of hope and reality, reflecting the emotional burden of a search that has spanned nearly three decades as authorities strive to grant the family the closure they desperately need.
“For thirty years, we’ve endured pain that no family should have to face; heartache, frustration, and setbacks have become part of our daily lives,” the family stated on their website.
