Kristin Smart

On the night of May 24-25, 1996, nineteen-year-old Kristin Denise Smart, a freshman at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, attended an off-campus party near campus. After becoming heavily intoxicated, she was helped back toward the dorms by several students, the last of whom was fellow freshman Paul Flores. Kristin was never seen again.

An investigation was launched when Kristin's roommate reported her missing. Flores was identified early on as the last person seen with Kristin, and he had a black eye the following day that he attributed to a basketball injury. Despite intense suspicion, the investigation stalled for years due to insufficient physical evidence.

For over two decades, the Smart family and community kept the case in the public eye. A major breakthrough came in 2019-2020 when the podcast 'Your Own Backyard,' created by journalist Chris Lambert, uncovered new evidence and witnesses. In 2021, Paul Flores and his father Ruben Flores were arrested. Ruben was charged with accessory after the fact for allegedly helping conceal Kristin's body.

Paul Flores stood trial in 2022 and was convicted of first-degree murder. Evidence presented at trial included testimony from women who described being drugged and sexually assaulted by Flores. Ruben Flores was acquitted. Despite the conviction, Kristin's body has never been found. Paul Flores was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.