Soil testing at a property connected to the man convicted of murdering California college student Kristin Smart has uncovered evidence of human remains, the San Luis Obispo County sheriff announced on Friday.
Evidence of Human Remains Found
Sheriff Ian Parkinson stated during a news conference: "We can't call it Kristin, but there's evidence to support human remains – there at one time." The testing took place at a home in Arroyo Grande, California, which was reportedly occupied by Susan Flores, the mother of Paul Flores.
Kristin Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University in May 1996 after attending an off-campus party. Prosecutors alleged she was killed during an attempted rape, and Paul Flores, a fellow student, was the last person seen with her.
Legal Proceedings and Conviction
Paul Flores and his father, Ruben Flores, were arrested in 2021. Prosecutors claimed Smart's remains were buried on Ruben Flores's property and later moved. Ruben Flores was acquitted of accessory charges. Paul Flores was convicted in October 2022 and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. In 2024, a judge ordered him to pay over $350,000 to Smart's family for expenses incurred after her death.
Smart's remains have never been found, and she was declared legally dead in 2002.
Recent Search and Investigation
This week, law enforcement searched a home in Arroyo Grande occupied by Susan Flores. The Your Own Backyard podcast, which helped investigators by bringing forward additional witnesses, first reported the search. Sheriff Parkinson emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation: "Until we have Kristin, everything is still wide open." He urged patience, noting that even previously searched areas might yield new evidence.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
