On the morning of April 13, just hours after Paul and Ruben Flores were arrested for their alleged involvement in Kristin Smart’s disappearance and death, Cal Poly University freshman Michelle Mueller cried and lit a candle for Smart.
Smart was a Cal Poly freshman when she disappeared in May 1996 after attempting to return to her dorm room after a party on Memorial Day weekend. She was last seen with Paul Flores, another Cal Poly freshman, who reportedly said he’d walk with Smart to her Muir Hall dorm room.
Now 44, Paul Flores is charged with first-degree murder, although Smart’s body has not been recovered. She was declared dead in 2002. Paul Flores’ 80-year-old father, Ruben, is being charged with accessory to the murder after the fact. Both have entered not-guilty pleas, and Ruben Flores was ordered released on $50,000 bail Wednesday.