Evidence points to human remains at home linked to Kristin Smart’s killing, sheriff says

AROYO GRANDE, Calif. (AP) — Evidence suggests there are human remains at a home linked to the man convicted of killing Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old college student who disappeared in 1996, a California sheriff said Friday.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said they could not determine whether the remains were Smart’s or whether authorities would seek another warrant to begin digging on Susan Flores’ property. Her son, Paul Flores, was convicted in 2022 of killing Smart, whose body was never found.

The search began Wednesday after authorities issued a warrant Wednesday at the home in the central coastal town of Arroyo Grande, more than 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. The authorities did not specify the reason behind the research, but scientists specializing in human decomposition and soil took samples from the ground.

“We believe that based on what we look at in terms of the evidence – scientific evidence – that human remains were there at one time – or are still there. We can’t call her Christine, but there is evidence to support human remains,” Parkinson said during a news conference.

Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University in May 1996 after returning from an off-campus party. Prosecutors claimed she was killed during an attempted rape, and that the last person she was seen with was Paul Flores, a fellow student. She was declared legally dead in 2002.

This decades-long case has captured public attention, fueled in part by a blogger who assisted investigators by providing additional witnesses. Chris Lambert of the “Your Own Backyard” podcast first reported on the home inspection.

“We remain hopeful that this current search will be successful and look forward to the outcome,” the Smart family said in a statement, adding that they “continue to feel the amazing support from the local community which provides us with great strength to continue this journey to bring Christine home.”

Parkinson, the city’s mayor, said Friday he was unsure how long a search of the property would take, but Susan Flores could not return until investigators felt the search was complete.

“We’re not leaving this house until we’re sure we’ve checked everything,” he said.

Attempts to reach Susan Flores for comment this week were not successful. She never faced criminal charges related to the case.

The property has changed over the years and investigators have to move elements to deploy ground-penetrating radar that can detect anomalies, Parkinson said. He said they may need multiple search warrants for potholes, including cement pits.

Tim Nelligan, an expert in soil vapor testing, confirmed by phone Thursday that he was in the building, collecting samples from the yards of Flores and a neighbor. Overall, he said, his team “has come up with a methodology to evaluate soil vapor” and its relationship to “decomposition of human corpses,” but he could not discuss the current investigation.

Soil vapor sampling, an evolving science, involves collecting underground gas samples to detect volatile organic compounds associated with human decomposition.

Lambert, the podcast host, said he doesn’t know much about the search, but he’s optimistic investigators will be able to locate Smart’s body. He said previous inspections of Susan Flores’ home were not comprehensive at all.

“This property in particular has been overlooked for quite some time,” he said Thursday in front of the house.

Paul Flores and his father, Ruben Flores, were arrested in 2021.

Prosecutors alleged that Smart’s remains were buried on Ruben Flores’ property and later removed. He was acquitted of accessory charges. This property is different from the one currently being searched.

Paul Flores was sentenced in March 2023 to prison, where he was physically assaulted at least twice. In 2024, a judge ruled that he must pay Smart’s family just over $350,000 for costs incurred after her death.

The family said they would forgo compensation if Flores told them where the woman’s body was. Flores’ attorney, Harold Messick, said in 2024 that the defense did not know where her remains were. Flores maintains his innocence.