SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (NBC) – Two people are in custody in California related to a 25-year-old missing person case.
Authorities in San Luis Obispo County say they’ve arrested Paul Flores for the murder of Kristin Smart.
The 19-year-old Cal Poly freshman was last seen alive leaving a party with Paul Flores in May of 1996.
Flores was arrested at his home in San Pedro Tuesday morning. His father, Ruben Flores was also arrested on suspicion of accessory to murder.
In a news conference this afternoon, Sheriff Ian Parkinson said they got a break in the investigation in late 2016 evidence that identified Paul Flores as the prime suspect in Kristin’s disappearance.
Prime suspect in Kristin Smart case arrested; man s dad also arrested
Paul Flores, 44, who was the last person seen with Smart before she vanished in 1996, was arrested Tuesday in the Los Angeles area. His father was also arrested.
Credit: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff s Office
Kristin Smart disappeared in 1996 after leaving an on-campus party at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo. Author: Staff (ABC10), Associated Press Published: 12:24 PM EDT April 13, 2021 Updated: 8:11 PM EDT April 13, 2021 I hope we can have justice for the Smart family, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said in a press conference about the arrests. For over twenty-four years, we have waited for this bittersweet day. It is impossible to put into words what this day means for our family; we pray it is the first step to bringing our daughter home, Kristin Smart s family said in a statement.
Family of Kristin Smart releases statement following arrest of Paul Flores
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The family of Kristin Smart, a Cal Poly student who has been missing for nearly 25 years, has released a statement following the arrest of Paul Flores who now faces murder charges in Kristin s death.
Flores was arrested Tuesday along with his father, Ruben Flores. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said Paul Flores faces murder charges for Kristin s death and Ruben Flores faces one count of accessory to the crime. Parkinson said investigators have yet to recover Smart s remains but insisted that the department would not stop until her remains are recovered and returned to her family.
Smart family releases statement following arrest of Paul Flores, father Kristinâs loving spirit will always live in our hearts
KSBY
and last updated 2021-04-13 20:44:08-04
The family of Kristin Smart released a statement Tuesday following the arrests of Paul and Ruben Flores in connection with the disappearance of Kristin back in May 1996.
âFor over twenty-four years, we have waited for this bittersweet day. It is impossible to put into words what this day means for our family; we pray it is the first step to bringing our daughter home. While Kristinâs loving spirit will always live in our hearts, our life without her hugs, laughs and smiles is a heartache that never abates. The knowledge that a father and son, despite our desperate pleas for help, could have withheld this horrible secret for nearly 25 years, denying us the chance to lay our daughter to rest, is an unrelenting and unforgiving pain. We now put our faith in the justice system and move forward, co
‘NOT OVER YET’
Kristin Smart murder cops ‘close’ to finding body after new evidence led to charges for Paul Flores & his dad
Luke Kenton
Updated: 14 Apr 2021, 20:23
POLICE investigating the murder of Kristin Smart believe they re close to finding her body, nearly 25 years after she vanished without a trace from the campus of a California college.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said his department s investigation is not over yet , following the arrest of prime suspect Paul Flores, and his father, Ruben Flores, on Tuesday.
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San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said he believes investigators are close to locating Kristin Smart s bodyCredit: Handout