3 weeks ago
Authorities scheme Thursday to participate nan 2nd time of their hunt of a location connected to nan man convicted of sidesplitting 19-year-old assemblage student Kristin Smart successful 1996, according to rule enforcement.
The San Luis Obispo region sheriff’s agency served nan warrant Wednesday successful nan continuing investigation into Smart’s disappearance. Her remains were ne'er recovered and she was declared legally dormant successful 2002. Paul Flores was convicted successful October 2022 and yet sentenced to 25 years to life successful prison.
Law enforcement searched a location successful nan cardinal seashore municipality of Arroyo Grande occupied by Flores’ mother, Susan Flores, according to nationalist records and reporting by a podcast that has intimately followed nan case.
“The Sheriff’s agency remains committed to bringing Kristin location to her family,” nan sheriff’s connection said. “No further accusation is available.”
The Your Own Backyard podcast, which helped investigators ace nan lawsuit by bringing guardant further witnesses, first reported nan hunt and said nan location belongs to Flores’ mother. Attempts to scope Susan Flores for remark Wednesday were not successful.
Smart went missing from California Polytechnic State University successful May 1996 aft returning from an off-campus party. Prosecutors alleged she was killed during an attempted rape and that nan past personification she was seen pinch was Flores, a chap student.
Flores and his father, Ruben Flores, were arrested successful 2021.
Prosecutors alleged Smart’s remains were buried connected Ruben Flores’ spot and later moved. He was acquitted of accessory charges. That spot is different from nan 1 searched connected Wednesday.
Paul Flores was sentenced successful March 2023 to prison, wherever he has been physically attacked astatine slightest twice.
In 2024, a judge ruled that Paul Flores must salary conscionable complete $350,000 to Smart’s family for costs they incurred aft her death.
The family has said it would forgo restitution if Flores would show them wherever Kristin’s assemblage was. Flores’ attorney, Harold Mesick, said successful 2024 that nan defense did not cognize wherever her remains are. Flores maintains his innocence.
The region territory attorney’s agency said Wednesday it was helping nan sheriff’s agency pinch nan investigation.
“While those responsible for Kristin’s decease – and those pinch knowledge of her whereabouts – could supply answers astatine immoderate time, we stay firmly committed to utilizing each lawful instrumentality disposable to find Kristin’s remains and to support her family until she is brought home,” said Dan Dow, nan territory attorney, successful a statement.
