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Kristin Smart case: Deputies finish search of Arroyo Grande home

March 16, 2021

Photo by Richard Bastian

By KAREN VELIE

After seizing an old car, digging in the back yard and taking evidence — San Luis Obispo County sheriff deputies concluded a two search of an Arroyo Grande home related to the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart.

On Monday, deputies served a sealed search warrant at the home of Ruben Flores. He is the father of Paul Flores, the only suspect in the disappearance of Smart.

Photo by Richard Bastian

During the search, a cadaver dog showed interest in a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, which is currently registered to Ruben and Susan Flores. Deputies towed the car from Rubin Flores’ home on Monday afternoon.

Smart, a 19-year-old Cal Poly student, was last seen in the company of then-fellow student Paul Flores, who claims he escorted Smart to her dorm on May 25, 1996, which was relatively empty over the Memorial Day weekend.

Photo by Richard Bastian

At that time, the car belonged to Paul Flores’ sister Ermelinda Flores, who lived near Cal Poly. After Smart’s disappearance, the car was transferred into their parent’s names.

The parents stopped renewing the tags in 2010 and parked the Volkswagen in Rubin Flores’ garage. Also in 2010, SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said he was committed to having the disappearance of Smart reexamined by investigators.

Photo by Richard Bastian

On Tuesday, investigators used ground-penetrating radar under Rubin Flores’ home and in the backyard, and then dug in several places.

“We are encouraged by the news of today’s search of Ruben Flores’ property.” Smart’s family said in a statement they released on Monday. “We appreciate the vigilance and professionalism of Sheriff Ian Parkinson and his department and our family looks forward to learning more in the hours and days ahead.”


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How Does This Happen, I started Biz in AG in 1989 ,I am now 58 I do not have any kids So Sad .. Monsters .. I just Ran into a Nut job Client .. What is wrong with people ,Folks work hard go to church .. How Could anyone Not report this .. Very Sad .. They Stole her life .. God Help Us & The family .. I see the son Did nit get bail.. Good ..


0

Has our district attorney ever tried a murder case? I’d hate to see all the hard work our Sheriff’s office has done unravel.


-8

I just logged on and the first two articles I read both have your comment asking about our DD’s experience. Did you want to make a point or maybe do your own research to back up any insinuations you may have and share with us? Maybe people would be interested instead of just reading your posts that have an apparent trolling aspect to them?


11

Thanks for the advice Dadbod! So far I’ve asked two attorneys and one probation officer. All three answered no. You are right, I asked the question here trolling for an answer. Do you have a point you would like to make?


-6

I may have missed it so some assistance will be appreciated. Since the focus is on Paul Flores what is the alleged motive for him to have committed this crime. I believe that they had just met the evening of her death so why is there a belief that he killed her?


-36

Paul Flores was the last person with Kristin Smart. His story repeatedly changed. He had a black eye the next day.


As for motive, Flores had and continues to have multiple allegations that he has raped or sexually harassed women, and also teens while he was in high school.


34

Actually his violent behavior started earlier than high school. While in junior high he knocked a boy down from behind, stomped on his head and sent him to the hospital with a serious concussion.


5

Check out the podcast “Your Own Backyard” if you want to get the details on everything known to this point:


https://www.yourownbackyardpodcast.com/episodes


4