Investigators in California executed a search warrant at a property in Arroyo Grande connected to Paul Flores, the man convicted of murdering Kristin Smart in 1996. The search, conducted by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office at a home on East Branch Street owned by Flores's mother Susan Flores, was authorized by a Superior Court judge and focused on locating Smart's remains. Flores was convicted in October 2022 of killing the 19-year-old Cal Poly student during an attempted rape at his dorm room nearly three decades ago, though her body has never been found.

This ongoing investigation underscores law enforcement's persistent commitment to resolving one of California's most prominent cold cases. For the Smart family and the broader community, locating the victim's remains holds profound significance—both for closure and for honoring the memory of a young woman whose death occurred in 1996. The case has maintained public attention through media coverage, podcasts, and the conviction itself, making continued investigative efforts a matter of public interest and family justice.

The case has been marked by decades of difficulty in locating Smart's remains despite Flores's conviction. In 2024, a judge ordered Flores to pay over $350,000 in restitution to Smart's family for expenses related to their daughter's death. The Smart family has indicated willingness to forgo the restitution if Flores revealed his daughter's location, though his attorney has claimed Flores does not know where the remains are located. This latest search warrant represents authorities' determination to exhaust all available legal avenues to bring answers to the family.