Items recovered from the home of convicted murderer Paul Flores’ mother, following a search warrant, are being analyzed in connection with the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart.
Smart, a 19-year-old California Polytechnic State University freshman from Stockton, disappeared on May 25, 1996, after attending an off-campus party near campus.
She was last seen walking back toward her dorm with fellow student Flores who was later convicted of first-degree murder in 2022. Smart’s body has never been found.
On Tuesday, May 19, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office released additional information about the May 6 search warrant conducted at Susan Flores’ home, located in the 500 block of East Branch Street in Arroyo Grande.
Almost 30 years later, the renewed search was prompted by newly developed evidence that met the legal standard for a fresh warrant, officials said.
The sheriff’s office said its detectives used ground penetrating radar and soil vapor science during the investigation.
Soil scientists were able to identify an area along the side yard of the property that produced results consistent with the possible presence of human remains, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
On May 8, investigators secured an additional search warrant in order to excavate in the specific area. However, in order for the excavation to take place, large concrete pavers along the side of Susan Flores’ yard had to be removed.
The excavation marked one of the first times investigators have dug up parts of the backyard at the property, which has long been scrutinized in the case.
The process continued to May 9 with investigators carefully sifting through the excavated soil for any evidence related to Kristin, the sheriff’s office said.
A search of the property resulted in the recovery of several items that are considered “evidentiary in nature.”
“Those items are currently being analyzed as part of the ongoing investigation,” the sheriff’s office said.
Law enforcement said although no human remains were recovered during the process the agency remains fully committed to finding Kristin and bringing her home to her family.
No other information was made available, and the sheriff’s office said its department will not be making additional comments or providing further updates.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: In Kristin Smart case, new search at Susan Flores home yields evidence
Reporting by Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
