ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (AP) — A California sheriff announced Friday that evidence indicates human remains were present at a home connected to the man convicted of killing Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old college student who disappeared in 1996.
Search at Susan Flores Property
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson stated that investigators cannot confirm whether the remains belong to Smart or if additional warrants will be sought to excavate the property of Susan Flores. Her son, Paul Flores, was convicted in 2022 for Smart's murder, though her body has never been recovered.
The search commenced Wednesday after authorities executed a warrant at the residence in Arroyo Grande, located over 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Officials have not disclosed what triggered the search, but scientists specializing in human decomposition and soil analysis collected samples from the ground.
“We believe that based on the scientific evidence we are examining, human remains were present at one time — or still are. We cannot confirm it is Kristin, but there is evidence supporting the presence of human remains,” Parkinson said during a press conference.
Background of the Case
Smart vanished from California Polytechnic State University in May 1996 after attending an off-campus party. Prosecutors argued she was killed during an attempted rape, and the last person seen with her was Paul Flores, a fellow student. She was declared legally dead in 2002.
The decades-old case has captivated the public, partly due to a podcast that helped investigators by bringing forward additional witnesses. Chris Lambert of the “Your Own Backyard” podcast first reported the search of the home.
“We remain hopeful that this current search will be successful and look forward to the outcome,” the Smart family said in a statement, expressing gratitude for community support.
Investigation Details
Sheriff Parkinson said Friday that the duration of the search is uncertain, but Susan Flores cannot return until investigators are satisfied. “We are not leaving that house until we are sure we have checked everything,” he noted.
Attempts to reach Susan Flores for comment have been unsuccessful. She has not faced criminal charges in connection with the case.
Parkinson mentioned that the property has changed over the years, requiring investigators to move items to use ground-penetrating radar. Multiple search warrants may be needed for digging, including excavating cement.
Tim Nelligan, an expert in soil vapor testing, confirmed he was on site gathering samples from the yards of Flores and a neighbor. He stated his team has developed a methodology to assess soil vapor related to human cadaver decomposition but could not discuss the current investigation.
Soil vapor sampling is an evolving science that collects underground gas samples to detect volatile organic compounds associated with human decomposition.
Lambert expressed optimism that investigators could locate Smart's body, noting that past searches of Susan Flores' home were never thorough. “This property has been overlooked for quite some time,” he said.
Paul Flores and his father, Ruben Flores, were arrested in 2021. Prosecutors alleged Smart's remains were buried on Ruben Flores' property and later moved. He was acquitted of accessory charges. That property is different from the one currently being searched.
Paul Flores was sentenced in March 2023 to prison, where he has been physically attacked at least twice. In 2024, a judge ruled he must pay over $350,000 to Smart's family for costs incurred after her death. The family has said it would forgo restitution if Flores reveals the location of her body. Flores' attorney stated the defense does not know where her remains are. Flores maintains his innocence.
