San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson confirmed Friday that investigators have not yet recovered the remains of Kristin Smart during a targeted search of a California property.
Sheriff’s investigators spent two days executing a search warrant at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores. Flores is the mother of Paul Flores, the man convicted of Smart’s murder four years ago.
“I think it’s safe to say that we have not recovered Kristin yet,” Sheriff Parkinson told reporters, though he noted that the search is ongoing and its duration remains uncertain.
Search Tactics and Scope
On Thursday, investigators utilized ground-penetrating radar equipment in the backyard of the property. Authorities also collected soil samples and were observed searching a neighboring home.
While the specific catalyst for this latest search remains unclear, officials stated the operation is part of a broader effort to “bring Kristin home.”
Case Background and Legal History
Kristin Smart, then 19, vanished on May 25, 1996. She and Paul Flores were both students at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Smart was declared legally dead in 2002.
Paul Flores was eventually found guilty of first-degree murder. Prosecutors alleged he killed Smart during an attempted rape and may have buried her under a deck at his father’s home in Arroyo Grande, located approximately 16 miles from the college town.
Ruben Flores was previously charged with accessory after the fact, with prosecutors accusing him of helping his son bury and later move the remains. However, a jury acquitted Ruben Flores in 2022.
Current Status of Involved Parties
Susan Flores has not been accused of any crimes in connection with the murder. When contacted via telephone on Thursday, a man answering for her stated she was not immediately available and declined to comment.
As the investigation continues, authorities may conduct further soil analysis or expand their search perimeter if current leads prove unsuccessful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the current search taking place?
Investigators are searching the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores and a neighboring property.
What evidence was found in previous searches of the Flores family properties?
Previous searches at the home of Ruben Flores revealed human blood—which was too degraded for usable DNA—and a soil disturbance roughly the size of a casket.
Who has been convicted in the death of Kristin Smart?
Paul Flores was found guilty of first-degree murder.
Do you believe the use of ground-penetrating radar is the most effective way to resolve decades-old cold cases?
