Investigators looking into the 1996 disappearance of California college student Kristin Smart say they’ve found evidence of human remains on a property linked to her convicted killer.
This is a potentially huge deal … because Kristin’s body was never found.
She was declared legally dead in 2002, and Paul Flores — who went to school with her and was the last person to see her alive — was found guilty of first-degree murder 20 years later.
Investigators have been running soil tests on the home of Paul’s mom, Susan Flores, for the past couple days … and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson told reporters they found compounds related to a human, decomposing body.
Parkinson said it’s “safe to say” they haven’t found Kristin “yet” … but they’re keeping at it.
Archaeologists had previously searched the home of Ruben Flores — Paul’s dad — where they found blood and a casket-sized disturbance in the soil … but the blood was too degraded for DNA testing.
Ruben was charged with accessory after the fact … but was ultimately acquitted in 2022.
It’s unclear what sparked the new investigation into Susan’s home — or how long it will last — but Parkinson said she won’t be able to come back until they’re done. They say she’s a person of interest.