Investigators searching the home of convicted killer Paul Flores’ mother say new forensic testing indicates human remains were once present — or may still be present — at the property nearly three decades after Kristin Smart vanished.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson revealed Friday that soil testing at Susan Flores’ Arroyo Grande home returned results tied to human decomposition as authorities continue excavating sections of the backyard.
“We believe that … human remains were there at one time or still there,” Parkinson told reporters.
When asked directly whether investigators were receiving results “consistent with human remains presence,” the sheriff answered: “Correct.”
The revelation marks one of the most significant developments in the case since Paul Flores was convicted of murdering the California college student in 2022.
Despite the breakthrough, authorities stressed they have not yet recovered Smart’s remains.
“I think it’s safe to say that we have not recovered Kristin yet,” Parkinson said. “But our search goes on, and I don’t know how long we’re going to be there.”
Investigators spent days combing through the property using ground-penetrating radar technology, excavation equipment and soil analysis while searching for new evidence tied to Smart’s disappearance.
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Authorities said newly developed evidence and investigative leads gave detectives enough probable cause to secure another search warrant for the property.
“The detectives obtained a search warrant based on investigated leads and evidence to return to the Brand Street address of Susan Flores,” Parkinson said.
The sheriff described the search process as slow and highly technical.
Investigators are using updated ground-penetrating radar systems to identify underground anomalies before collecting soil samples that can later be examined for compounds connected to decomposing human remains.
“The GPR from 30 years ago is not the GPR today,” Parkinson said. “It’s come, as you imagine, like everything advances, cell phones or computers, so does the science.”
Parkinson said authorities intend to remain at the property until every possible lead is thoroughly investigated.
“We’re not leaving that house until we’ve exhausted everything,” he commented.
The sheriff also confirmed Susan Flores continues to be considered a person of interest.
The Flores family owned the property when Smart disappeared in 1996, though investigators had never previously excavated large portions of the backyard.
This latest search marked the first time authorities began digging extensively through sections of the property while using advanced scanning technology.
Parkinson acknowledged investigators still believe Smart’s remains may have been moved multiple times over the years.
“Kristin has been moved, and we don’t know how many times she’s been moved into where she’s moved,” he said.
Smart vanished on May 25, 1996, after attending an off-campus party near California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
The 19-year-old freshman was reported missing two days later.
Paul Flores quickly emerged as the prime suspect because he was believed to be the final person seen walking with Smart as the pair headed back toward campus.
Prosecutors later argued Flores killed Smart during an attempted rape.
At trial, jurors heard testimony that cadaver dogs alerted to Flores’ dorm room shortly after Smart disappeared.
Investigators also focused on inconsistencies in Flores’ statements during the early stages of the investigation.
When detectives first interviewed him, Flores had a black eye.
He initially claimed he suffered the injury while playing basketball with friends, but investigators said those friends contradicted the story.
Flores later changed his explanation and claimed he hit his head while working on his car.
In 2021, authorities searched the home of Flores’ father, Ruben Flores, where prosecutors said investigators uncovered evidence of a large soil disturbance beneath a deck.
According to prosecutors, the disturbed area was roughly the size of a casket.
Investigators also located traces of human blood in the soil, though the material was too degraded to generate usable DNA.
Prosecutors accused Ruben Flores of helping conceal Smart’s body after the killing and later moving the remains.
He was charged as an accessory after the fact but acquitted in 2022.
Paul Flores was convicted of first-degree murder later that same year.
He is currently serving a sentence of 25 years to life in prison and has continued maintaining his innocence.
In 2024, a judge ordered Flores to pay more than $350,000 to Smart’s family for costs connected to the decades-long investigation.
The family previously said they would give up restitution entirely if Flores would finally reveal where Smart’s body is located.
Flores’ attorney later insisted the defense does not know where her remains are.
As investigators returned to Susan Flores’ property this week, podcaster Chris Lambert, whose “Your Own Backyard” series reignited national attention on the case, watched the search unfold from outside the home.
Lambert told The Tribune the property had never been fully examined during the original investigation.
“The Flores family owned this house at the time that Kristin went missing, and it was never very thoroughly searched,” Lambert said. “It’s definitely overlooked.”
Lambert also speculated investigators were searching for signs that sections of the ground may have been disturbed years ago.
“I would assume what they’re doing here is the same thing they did here, which is scanning the ground to look for anomalies underneath, where soil may have been disturbed, dug up, replaced or anything,” he added.
He noted that several critical pieces of evidence connected to the night Smart disappeared have never been recovered.
“The clothing she was wearing that night was never found,” Lambert said.
“The clothing that Paul wore that night was never recovered. And so those things could be here as well.”
The Smart family released a statement Friday expressing hope the latest search could finally provide answers after nearly 30 years.
“We remain hopeful that this current search will be successful and look forward to the outcome,” the family said.
“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.”
“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,” they concluded.
