ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. — Law enforcement officials concluded their search of a California residence connected to a convicted killer without locating the body of Kristin Smart, a college student who disappeared nearly three decades ago, authorities announced Saturday.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office wrapped up their investigation at the property belonging to Susan Flores in Arroyo Grande, a Central Coast community located over 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Her son, Paul Flores, received a murder conviction in 2022 for Smart’s death, though investigators have never recovered the victim’s remains.
Officials refused to share further details about their investigation. Earlier this week, law enforcement indicated that evidence pointed to the possibility of human remains being located at the residence, prompting specialists in human decomposition and soil analysis to collect ground samples.
“The Sheriff’s Office remains fully committed to finding Kristin and bringing her home to her family,” the department stated.
Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University in May 1996. Legal officials argued that she died during an attempted sexual assault and that Paul Flores, a classmate, was the final person spotted with her. Courts officially declared her dead in 2002.
Flores received his murder conviction in October 2022 and was sentenced to serve 25 years to life the following year.
This long-standing case has drawn widespread public attention, partly due to a podcast creator who assisted investigators by encouraging additional witnesses to come forward. Chris Lambert, who produces the “Your Own Backyard” podcast, was first to report on the property search.
