Evidence points to human remains at home linked to Kristin Smart's
killing, sheriff says
[May 09, 2026]
By HAVEN DALEY and JANIE HAR
ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (AP) — A California sheriff said Friday that
evidence suggests human remains were present at a home connected to the
man convicted of killing Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old college student
who went missing in 1996.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said they cannot say
whether the remains are those of Smart or whether authorities will seek
another warrant to start digging on Susan Flores' property. Her son,
Paul Flores, was convicted in 2022 of killing Smart, whose body has
never been found.
The search began Wednesday after authorities served a warrant Wednesday
at the home in the central coast town of Arroyo Grande more than 150
miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. Authorities have not
specified what prompted the search, but scientists specializing in human
decomposition and soil took samples from the ground.
“We believe that based on what we’re looking at evidence-wise --
scientific evidence -- that a human’s remains were there at one time --
or still there. We can’t call it Kristin, but there’s evidence to
support human remains,” Parkinson said during a news conference.
Smart went missing from California Polytechnic State University in May
1996 after returning from an off-campus party. Prosecutors alleged 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.
The decades-old case has captivated the public, fueled in part by a
podcaster who 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, adding
that they "continue to feel the amazing support of the local community
which provides us with great strength to continue this journey to bring
Kristin home.”
Parkinson, the sheriff, said Friday he was not sure how long they would
search the property, but that Susan Flores could not return until
investigators felt they were finished.
“We are not leaving that house until we are sure that we have checked
everything,” he said.
Attempts to reach Susan Flores for comment this week have not been
successful. She has never faced criminal charges related to the case.
Parkinson said the property has changed over the years and investigators
have to move items to deploy ground-penetrating radar, which can detect
anomalies. He said they might need multiple search warrants to dig,
including excavating cement.
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This undated photo released by the FBI shows Kristin Smart, the
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo student who
disappeared in 1996. (FBI via AP, File)
Tim Nelligan, an expert in soil vapor testing, confirmed by phone
Thursday that he was on the premises, gathering samples from the
yards of Flores and a neighbor. He said his team has, in general,
“come up with a methodology to assess soil vapor" and its relation
to “human cadaver decomposition,” but that he could not discuss the
current investigation.
Soil vapor sampling, which is an evolving science, involves
collecting underground gas samples to detect volatile organic
compounds associated with human decomposition.
Lambert, the podcaster, said he did not know much about the search,
but was optimistic investigators could locate Smart's body. He said
past searches of Susan Flores' home have never been thorough.
“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 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 that he
must pay just over $350,000 to Smart's family for costs they
incurred after her death.
The family has said it would forgo restitution if Flores would tell
them where the woman's body was. Flores’ attorney, Harold Mesick,
said in 2024 that the defense did not know where her remains are.
Flores maintains his innocence.
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