US police have said a podcaster’s efforts have helped them track down a suspect in the killing of California college student Kristin Smart nearly 25 years ago. Chris Lambert detoured from his musical career three years ago to create a podcast about Ms Smart’s disappearance in 1996, when she was aged 19. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said Mr Lambert’s efforts helped bring forward witnesses that led this week to the arrest of Paul Flores and his father Ruben, who have appeared in court over the disappearance. Kristin Smart (FBI/AP) Mr Lambert said he never expected the results he achieved. Meanwhile, his podcast, Your Own Backyard, hit 7.5 million downloads on Thursday. It was the number two podcast on iTunes.