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Kristin Smart went missing in 1996 over Memorial Day weekend when she was a college student and was never seen againCredit: Getty
 

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The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office recently searched Susan Flores’ home, the mother of the man convicted of killing SmartCredit: AP
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office in California served a search warrant on Wednesday at the home of Susan Flores, whose son, Paul Flores, was convicted in 2022 of killing Smart.

“The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to bringing Kristin home to her family,” authorities said after confirming they were launching an investigation at the home in the coastal town of Arroyo Grande, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Scientists who specialize in human decomposition and soil were seen at the home taking samples from the ground.

Sheriff Ian Parkinson said on Friday that evidence points to human remains being present at the home.

Cal Poly apologizes to Kristin Smart’s family for first time in 27 years

However, officials said they cannot confirm whether or not those remains are Smart’s.

“We believe that based on what we’re looking at evidence-wise – scientific-wise – that a human’s remains were there at one time – or still there,” Parkinson said.

“We can’t call it Kristin, but there’s evidence to support human remains.”

The new search was launched after officials collected soil vapor samples taken from the neighboring yard that appeared to show evidence of human decomposition against the fence line of Susan Flores’ backyard.

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Paul Flores was arrested in 2021 for the murder of Smart and later convicted in 2022Credit: AP
 

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Sheriff Ian Parkinson said officials won’t be leaving the home until they are sure they searched everythingCredit: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
Neighbor Marcia Papich, whose fence borders Susan Flores’ backyard, told The U.S. Sun on Friday, “I’m anxiously awaiting the outcome and that’s all I can say.”

“It’s been a long time coming. I want them to continue doing what they’re doing,” she said.

The Flores home was searched twice before, including in 1996, but no evidence was discovered in either search, the sheriff said.

Officials are still conducting soil tests, but Parkinson said the sheriff’s office will not be leaving the California home until they are sure they have searched everything.

“We remain hopeful that this current search will be successful and look forward to the outcome,” the Smart family said in a statement to The U.S. Sun.

The family knew a search was taking place on Wednesday but said they learned about the evidence discovery through the sheriff’s press conference.

When asked how long it might take for officials to identify any remains, a family rep said they are “not sure about the timings and next steps.”

“However, we’ve been waiting 30 years to bring Kristin home, so we have learned to be patient,” the statement continued.

The family said they feel the “stars are lining up” as it’s nearing the 30-year anniversary of Smart’s disappearance.

Smart vanished over Memorial Day weekend in 1996 when she was a freshman at California Polytechnic State University’s San Luis Obispo campus.

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The Smart family told The U.S. Sun they learned of the evidence discovery through the sheriff’s press conferenceCredit: Getty
 

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The Flores home had been searched before, including in 1996Credit: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
Smart, who was 19 at the time, passed out on a lawn after drinking at an off-campus party and was spotted by two students who tried to walk her to her dorm.

A third student, who investigators identified as Flores, joined the group and reportedly said he would take Smart home safely since his dorm was close by.

Smart was never seen again and was legally declared dead in 2002.

Prosecutors alleged that Flores killed Smart during an attempted rape.

Flores was sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole and later filed an appeal.

Prosecutors further alleged that Smart’s remains were buried on the property of Ruben Flores, Paul’s father, but later moved.

Ruben was arrested alongside his son in 2021 but was acquitted of accessory charges.

Parkinson said on Friday that they know Smart’s remains have been moved, but they don’t know how many times or to where, adding another search at Ruben’s home could happen in the future.

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Paul Flores was sentenced to 25 years in prison without paroleCredit: AP
 

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Smart was a college student at California Polytechnic State University’s San Luis Obispo campus when she vanishedCredit: AP
Tim Nelligan, a soil vapor testing expert, confirmed to the Associated Press on Thursday that he was on the premises gathering samples from the Flores yard and a neighbor’s yard.

Nelligan and other scientists poked instruments into the soil to collect ground samples to detect whether volatile organic compounds associated with human decomposition were present.

A representative for the family said Smart’s mom is “very supportive of Sheriff Parkinson.”

“The mistakes were made by Cal Poly police, the university administration and the sheriff in 1996,” the rep said.

Smart’s parents sued Cal Poly in 2024 for failing to protect their daughter.

Chris Lambert of the Your Own Backyard podcast first reported that the California home was being searched, and later said Flores’ parents, Ruben and Susan, circled the block on Thursday.

Lambert said Flores has not cooperated with or provided information to investigators and is still seeking to overturn his conviction.

Officials have also reportedly had “limited” dialogue with Flores’s mother, Susan.

“Our family greatly appreciates the efforts, dedication, and commitment of Sheriff Ian Parkinson, Detective Clint Cole, the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department, and the technical experts assisting with the execution of this search,” the Smart family told The U.S. Sun.

“Finally, we continue to feel the tremendous support of the local community and all the people far beyond the Central Coast who provide us with great strength to continue this journey to bring Kristin home.”