Authorities Execute Search Warrant at Home Linked to Convicted Killer Paul Flores

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:05:00 +0200

Authorities in San Luis Obispo, California, served a search warrant at a home connected to Paul Flores, the man convicted of murdering 19-year-old college student Kristin Smart in 1996. Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University, and her remains have never been found; she was declared legally dead in 2002. Flores was convicted in October 2022 and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The home searched is linked to Flores' mother, Susan Flores, and is part of an ongoing investigation into Smart’s disappearance. The investigation has previously focused on another property belonging to Flores' father, Ruben Flores, who was acquitted of accessory charges. The case gained renewed attention after the 'Your Own Backyard' podcast helped uncover new witnesses and evidence. Paul Flores has maintained his innocence and has faced physical attacks in prison. In 2024, a judge ordered him to pay over $350,000 in restitution to Smart’s family, who stated they would forgo the pay