New search for remains of slain student Kristin Smart comes up empty
by Don Jacobson · UPIMay 9 (UPI) -- California authorities working on a new lead in their quest for the remains of slain college student Kristin Smart announced Saturday that a search of a property connected with her killer came up empty.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's office said that despite deploying ground-penetrating radar at a home in Arroyo Grande, Calif., over the course of several days in the wake of a positive soil test for human remains, Smart's body was not found.
"We did not recover Kristin Smart," Sheriff's officials said in a statement. "Detectives will be evaluating any evidence we have recovered to aid in the investigation."
The searched property belongs to Susan Flores, the mother of Paul Flores, who in 2022 was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the 1996 disappearance of the California Polytechnic State University freshman.
Smart was reported missing in May 1996. A 25-year investigation ensued, resulting in the 2021 arrest and prosecution of Paul Flores and his father Ruben Flores. At trial the jury heard testimony that Smart was last seen walking towards her dormitory with Paul Flores after leaving an off-campus party.
The jury also heard evidence that a clandestine grave was located beneath the deck of Ruben Flores' home which was believed to have previously held Smart's body. Her remains, however, were not found there and Flores was later acquitted of aiding his son.
Believing the body may have been moved at some point, attention then turned to the home of Susan Flores, the convicted killer's mother.
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said investigators last week obtained a warrant to search her property.
"Since the jury convicted Paul Flores for the murder of Kristin Smart, the District Attorney's Office has continued working in coordination with the Sheriff's Office to fulfill our shared commitment to the Smart family and this community: to bring Kristin home," he said.
"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."