After nearly three decades, college student Kristin Smart's case reopens as investigators execute a search warrant for her remains at the home of Susan Flores, convicted killer Paul Flores' mother, in Arroyo Grande in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Smart was last seen with Paul Flores, who was also a student at the university, as they made their way to her California Polytechnic State University dormitory following a weekend party. Flores received a 25-year to life prison sentence for the murder of Kristen Smart, however, her remains have yet to be located, perLA Times.

Kristen Smart vanished in May 1996, when she was 19 years old. She was declared legally dead in 2002 after years of unsuccessful searches and investigations.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office authorities confirmed serving the search warrant on 6 May 2026, Wednesday.

'The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office is conducting an additional investigation into the property in the 500 block of East Branch Street in Arroyo Grande. This investigation is related to the Kristin Smart disappearance. This activity is the result of a search warrant signed by a Superior Court judge,' the official statement read.

Further, the announcement said it remains dedicated to finding Kristin's remains and returning her to her family. 'The Sheriff's Office remains committed to bringing Kristin home to her family.'

Officials emphasised that the investigation remains active and ongoing.

The Kristin Smart case has continued to attract national attention over the years, in part because of the extensive media coverage and the popularity of the true-crime podcastYour Own Backyard,

The podcast helped generate the renewed public interest in the disappearance and reportedly encouraged additional witnesses to come forward. Multiple outlets noted that the podcast's creator, Chris Lambert, closely followed developments surrounding the new search warrant, perKTLA.

Investigators previously searched property belonging to Ruben Flores, Paul Flores' father, where prosecutors alleged Smart's body had once been buried beneath a deck before being moved. Ruben Flores was later acquitted of accessory charges connected to the case. Susan Flores has not been charged with any crime, according to a report byPeople.

Source: International Business Times UK