San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow has issued a definitive statement following a major search operation at the home of Susan Flores, the mother of convicted murderer Paul Flores.
The search, which took place this Wednesday and Thursday in Arroyo Grande, represents a coordinated effort between the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and the Sheriff’s Office to finally locate the remains of Kristin Smart, thirty years after she first vanished.
In a direct address to the community, Dow emphasized that the legal conviction of Paul Flores in 2022 was only one part of the mission.
“Since the jury convicted Paul Flores for the murder of Kristin Smart, the District Attorney’s Office has continued working in coordination with the Sheriff’s Office to fulfill our shared commitment to the Smart family and this community: to bring Kristin home,” Dow stated.
He confirmed that Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth worked closely with the Sheriff’s Office to secure the judicial authorization for this latest warrant.
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The search at the Flores residence was described as “extremely thorough.” Investigators were seen scouring a packed garage and dismantling a deck on the property.
Tim Nelligan, an expert in soil vapor testing, was spotted on-site collecting samples from the yard. Nelligan explained that his team utilizes specific technology designed to identify human cadaver decomposition markers in the soil.
Despite the intensity of the current operation, Dow noted that the silence of those involved remains the primary obstacle.
“While those responsible for Kristin’s death—and those with knowledge of her whereabouts—could provide answers at any time, we remain firmly committed to using every lawful tool available to locate Kristin’s remains,” Dow said.
Kristin Smart was a 19-year-old freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo when she disappeared during Memorial Day weekend in 1996.
While Paul Flores is currently serving 25 years to life for her murder, and his father Ruben Flores was acquitted of accessory charges, the Smart family has never been able to hold a funeral. In an open letter, the Smart family stated that Paul Flores continues “to stand in the way of our daughter being returned to us.”
Sheriff Ian Parkinson echoed the DA’s resolve, noting in a recent interview that the case will never truly be closed until the family has their daughter back. Parkinson is expected to provide further details during a press conference on Friday morning.
Authorities are continuing to ask for the public’s assistance, noting that even the smallest detail could be the key to a breakthrough. Anyone with information is urged to contact San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-549-STOP (7867). Tips can be submitted anonymously as the search for Kristin Smart enters this critical new phase.
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