California authorities say Kristin Smart's remains weren't found at search of home

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. -- Authorities successful California said Saturday they didn't find the remains of Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old assemblage pupil who went missing successful 1996, aft finishing their hunt of a location tied to the antheral convicted of sidesplitting her.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office said they completed a hunt of Susan Flores' spot successful the cardinal seashore municipality of Arroyo Grande much than 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. Her son, Paul Flores, was convicted successful 2022 of sidesplitting Smart, whose assemblage has ne'er been found.

Authorities declined to supply further accusation Saturday. This week, authorities said grounds suggested quality remains were contiguous astatine the location and scientists specializing successful quality decomposition and ungraded took samples from the ground.

"The Sheriff's Office remains afloat committed to uncovering Kristin and bringing her location to her family," the sheriff's bureau said successful a property release.

Smart went missing from California Polytechnic State University successful May 1996. Prosecutors alleged she was killed during an attempted rape and that the past idiosyncratic she was seen with was Paul Flores, a chap student. She was declared legally dormant successful 2002.

Flores was convicted successful October 2022 of Smart's execution and sentenced the pursuing twelvemonth to 25 years to beingness successful prison.

The decades-old lawsuit has captivated the public, fueled successful portion by a podcaster who helped investigators by bringing guardant further witnesses. Chris Lambert of the "Your Own Backyard" podcast archetypal reported the hunt of the home.