In Arroyo Grande, California, officials announced on Saturday that their search for Kristin Smart’s remains at a property linked to her convicted killer came up empty. The college student vanished in 1996, sparking a decades-long mystery.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office concluded their investigation at Susan Flores’ residence in Arroyo Grande, roughly 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Her son, Paul Flores, was found guilty in 2022 for Smart’s murder. However, her body has yet to be recovered.
Authorities refrained from sharing further details on Saturday. Earlier in the week, they had mentioned that evidence indicated possible human remains at the site, prompting experts in human decomposition and soil analysis to collect ground samples.
“The Sheriff’s Office remains fully committed to finding Kristin and bringing her home to her family,” stated the sheriff’s office in an official release.
Kristin Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University in May 1996. Prosecutors claimed she was killed during an attempted rape, with Paul Flores being the last person seen with her. She was legally declared dead in 2002.
In October 2022, Paul Flores was convicted of her murder, and he received a sentence of 25 years to life in prison the following year.
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.
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