Search Fails to Recover Smart's Remains

Smart Remains Unrecovered Asourceser Latest Search Authorities concluded a search at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, mother of convicted murderer Paul Flores, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, without recovering the remains of Kristin Smart. This marks the latest development in the three-decade-old disappearance case, which has seen renewed investigative efforts driven by advancements in forensic technology.

The search, initiated last week, was prompted by new soil testing that indicated the presence of human remains at the location. Investigators utilized ground-penetrating radar and collected soil samples for analysis. Despite these efforts, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Smart's remains were not found. Any evidence collected during the search will undergo further evaluation to aid the ongoing investigation.

Kristin Smart, a college freshman, vanished from California Polytechnic State University's San Luis Obispo campus in May 1996. Paul Flores was convicted of her murder in 2022. The recent search at his mother's residence underscores the continued commitment of law enforcement to locate Smart's remains, leveraging new techniques and information, even asourceser multiple previous searches of the property.