California Kristin Smart's Killer

Authorities have served a search warrant at a home connected to the man convicted of killing 19-year-old college student Kristin Smart in 1996. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the search Wednesday is related to the ongoing investigation into Smart’s disappearance. Her remains were never found and she was declared legally dead in 2002. Paul Flores was convicted in her killing in 2022. The “Your Own Backyard” podcast first reported the search and said the home belongs to Flores’ mother.

Men in plain clothes have taken soil samples outside a home connected to the man convicted of killing 19-year-old college student Kristin Smart in 1996. The searched entered its second day Thursday, a day after the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant in the Smart case. Smart's remains were never found and she was declared legally dead in 2002. Paul Flores was convicted in her killing in 2022. A podcaster first reported the search and said the home belongs to Flores’ mother. Investigators also took samples from a neighbor’s yard. Authorities have not answered questions about what prompted the search.