https://www.thedailybeast.com/four-women-say-the-man-suspected-of-murdering-a-college-student-sexually-assaulted-them. Paul was not an experienced hardened criminal, if they investigated early and subjected him to a proper interrogation, they likely could have broken him and gotten him to confess, assisted by any circumstantial evidence they could have gathered. While her body has never been found, Kristin was declared legally dead in 2002. But in this case the Flores family likely looked the truth directly in the face about their family member (unfortunately, the truth being Kristin's deceased body in this case). I needed [the sheriff's office] to do their job. Recently released court documents detail a one-time immunity deal previously offered to Paul Flores' sister, Ermelinda Thomas. Could it also be the graduation party video where the mom asked him what he did with the missing girl? He lived in the dorm building across from Smarts room. Smart, a 19-year-old Cal Poly student, was last seen in the company of then-fellow student Paul Flores, who claims he escorted Smart to her dorm on May 25, 1996, which was relatively empty over. Also in 2010, SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said he was committed to having the disappearance of Smart reexamined by investigators. On May 25, 1996, Paul Flores was the last person known to have seen Kristin Smart before her disappearance from the Cal Poly campus. Last month, deputies conducted a two-day search for Smarts remains at the home of Ruben Flores. Chris Lambert has indicated that Ermelinda and both of her ex husbands have been interviewed by investigators. We only want our daughter back. At the time of the article, Flores was living in Southern California. Getty Law enforcement served search warrants Wednesday in the missing person case of Kristin Smart. At the time of Smarts disappearance, the vehicle belonged to Paul Flores sister, Ermelinda Flores, who lived near Cal Poly. During the search, a cadaver dog showed interest in a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, which is currently registered to Ruben and Susan Flores. This educated many current residents. The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. They used cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar to search Ruben Flores property. I now know for sure he is, and Kristin is dead, and so do you.. Now. It sounds like a scary environment with Pauls violent outbursts, the parents covering up for him and it sounds like RF was abusive as well, at least towards her mom. One neighbor told the newspaper that Flores had been nothing but a good neighbor. The same report said that Flores grew up in Torrance, California. To the extent that he was forced to leave jobs because of the Smart family. Is the Five Cities Fire Authority's future in jeopardy? Kristin Smart was dropped in the dumpster and she is in the landfill. BUT if she suspected anything she should have turned in her son. Deputies towed the car from Rubin Flores' home. During a camping trip in Fresno, California, in the early 1990s, Floress female cousins playfully swiped and hid his wallet while walking en route to a liquor store to purchase slush puppies. Deputies also dug in several places in search of remains. Paul Flores was the primary suspect in the Kristin Smart disappearance for over 2 decades. Those dogs led officers to Flores mattress but no hard evidence was found. He had been sentenced to 240 days in the crime. EXAMINING CALIFORNIA'S KRISTIN SMART TRIAL: THE . During the search, a cadaver dog showed interest in a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, which is currently registered to Ruben and Susan Flores. Smart, a 19-year-old Cal Poly student, was last seen in the company of then-fellow student Paul Flores, who claims he escorted Smart to her dorm on May 25, 1996, which was relatively empty over the Memorial Day weekend. In documents filed June 18, 2021, Thomas' attorney, Guy Galambos, filed a motion of notice in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court to quash a subpoena for Thomas' testimony during the preliminary hearing for Paul and Ruben's case that July. CategoriesFeatured, Special ReportsTagsKristin Smart, Paul Flores, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office. He needs to swing for the fence to get reelected. legal adult and dismissing her parents pleas, spreading rumors about her personal life and Spring quarter grades). Smart was last seen as three fellow students helped her home following a party. Is the Five Cities Fire Authoritys future in jeopardy? A neighbor on White Court in Arroyo Grande told KSBY News the home of Ruben Flores, Paul's dad, was also searched Wednesday morning, and the King County Sheriff's Office confirmed that it assisted the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office in the service of a search warrant at a home near Kenmore, Washington. Kristin Smart murderer Paul Flores seeking a new trial, San Luis Obispo debates allowing bicyclists to ride on sidewalks. The detectives have more than what has been previously released, and that is very heartening. Paul Flores escorted Smart back to her dorm after an off-campus party. "In 2019, we interviewed several witnesses that had not been previously interviewed and some of that information came to light through the podcast that many of you are familiar with," he said. It was only by pure luck that Paul was arrested for a different crime and the arresting agency (not Cal Poly PD) documented him having a black eye a fact that Cal Poly PD apparently never noticed. Flores was home at the time and could be seen in news footage wearing a light blue hoodie. I have worked with Cal Poly interns for years and always ask if they were told anything about Kristen Smart during WOW. On Monday, deputies served a sealed search warrant at the home of Ruben Flores. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Paul Flores at a St. James classmates birthday party, 1983. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. "Even with what I found, I can't go arrest somebody. That victim, named as Jane, told the website, The next thing I know is the cops telling me We cant do anything because [Paul] and his friend are saying she was drunk and it was consensual.. Cal Polys only interest was in a coverup. The Modesto Bee reported in January 2003 that Scott Peterson, the man who was convicted of murdering his wife, Laci Peterson, in December 2002, was being eyed for link to the Smart case. ", "It's part of the reason I got involved in this," he told the Tribune. Is there indeed some kind of video with PF admitting he knows what happened? Paul Flores has long been the lone suspect in Smarts disappearance. He threw [my cousin] to the ground and got on top of her and putting his hands down her top even after he got his wallet. I always thought they used The sisters car to move the body from Pauls dorm and thats why she and Brett got married and never shared info. There is new hope for answers in the murder mystery of Stockton native Kristin Smart. After Smarts disappearance, the car was transferred into their parents names. The Daily Beast reported in November 2016 that four women had come forward to accuse Flores of sexually assaulting them. And if her body is here and local, I or anyone could potentially find it with a shovel and sleuthing skills.". Authorities allege that Flores instead took Smart to his own dorm room and killed. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. I was thinking about that car the other day. The SLO County Sheriffs Office will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the case. Ms. Thomas informs me that she was never a witness to any crime, nor did she hear the defendants speak about any crimes.. A post shared by Your Own Backyard (@yourownbackyardpodcast) on Mar 27, 2019 at 8:45am PDT. KSBY Investigates: Kristin Smart Disappearance. Apparently one witness may be an Australian exchange student who returned home after finals and was unaware of the case. Paul Flores plays soccer at St. James Catholic School, 1982. Deputies towed the car from Rubin Flores home. To his credit, the Sheriff both credited Matthew Lamberts podcast series and admitted mistakes (2 weeks B4 any investigation, dorm room cleaned, ignoring roommates pleas the day after she disappeared, wont seek warrant for bank records because shes a 19 y.o. ive only been able to find one and now i cant even find that one. Facebook 0 Twitter LinkedIn 0 Reddit Tumblr Pinterest 0 0 Likes. Paul Flores escorted Smart back to her dorm after an off-campus party. Shes had two decades to end the Smarts torment. Flores was imprisoned at Santa Barbara County Jail for a time. The documents include information about a January 2020 appearance from a San Luis Obispo County sheriffs detective at Thomas Washington home. Did you want to make a point or maybe do your own research to back up any insinuations you may have and share with us? His room was finally searched when the sheriff took over the case and at that point Paul had moved off campus and Cal Poly had deep cleaned his room, destroying any available evidence. We may learn more if any of them are called to testify in the preliminary hearing. I always thought Mike could tattle. Paul is currently still in the custody of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, while Ruben was released on bail eight days after his arrest. The SLO County Sheriffs Office will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the case. The sheriff's office also detailed the work that has been done on the case since it was made a priority for the department in 2011: Related: SLO Co. Sheriff confirms key pieces of evidence in Kristin Smart case, Investigators search home of Susan Flores in Arroyo Grande. The Santa Maria Times reports that Flores has three DUI convictions on his record, as of 2007. Paul Flores was the last person to see Kristin Smart alive in 1996, police say. Flores was subpoenaed before a grand jury in relation to Smarts disappearance but left after just five minutes of questions. An immunity deal was offered to her in 2020, Paul Flores in court July 18 during opening statements in the Kristin Smart murder trial happening in Salinas, Monterey Co. Superior Court/NBC News Dateline. Chris travels down to the South Bay, and attempts to trace Paul Flores' predatory behavior from its origins to the present day. Support local news. Smart was last seen returning to the Cal Poly campus, where she was a freshman, after attending a party in San Luis Obispo one night in May 1996. The father and son were both in on it? Would you do the right thing? Paul Flores was convicted of first degree murder on 10/18/2022. The Smart family sued Flores in 1996 in an attempt to get some answers in civil court about their daughter, but Flores took the fifth amendment. It would seem like they would try to get rid of any vehicle that had evidence in it. Wednesday morning, KSBY crews witnessed sheriff's deputies and FBI investigators at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, the mother of the only person-of-interest in the case, Paul Flores. Wednesday afternoon, news crews were outside the home when Susan Flores pulled into the driveway. I believe that everyone who is in the Flores family circle including Susans boyfriend, and Ermelindas ex-husband Brett MacArthur AND her most recent ex-husband, is in on this, and is either directly involved with Kristins death (Paul) or the concealment of the crime. Recently released court documents detail a one-time immunity deal previously offered to Paul Flores' sister, Ermelinda Thomas. It wouldnt be surprising to learn. I wondered this too. Here are the latest totals, SLO driver who hit and killed couple charged with manslaughter, Suspect arrested in rural Arroyo Grande fatal shooting, San Luis Obispo County to close homeless parking site, Man flees officers in stolen CSD truck, barricades himself at Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo debates allowing bicyclists to ride on sidewalks. Paul was charged with the murder of Kristin Smart while Ruben was charged with being an accessory after the fact. Hopefully she has learned that she does not have to repeat or be complicit in it. We are encouraged by the news of todays search of Ruben Flores property. Smarts family said in a statement they released on Monday. We know Paul is, there's evidence of such. Investigators are currently digging under Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt to find the missing teens body. Is this Susan posting? Two of those locations are in San Luis Obispo County, one location is in Los Angeles County and one location is in Washington State, the press release stated. Paul Ruben Flores, 44, of San Pedro was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the disappearance of missing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart, according to the San Luis Obispo County. Copy of immunity deal letter posted here. "The search warrants are limited in scope, and sealed by the court," public information officer Tony Cipolla stated. Amanda Starrantino investigates where her missing person's case stands today. READ NEXT: Teenage Porn Star Controversy Rocks California High School, Paul Flores: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Lambert said that Paul's sister, Ermelinda, moved to Amsterdam in the 2000s to admittedly get away from the attention on her family due to the Kristin Smart case. Flores wasn't amused. Lambert spoke about what he felt was the biggest error in the early investigation by the sheriffs office. Investigators are currently digging under Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt to find the missing teens body. About the case, Lambert said he feels good about the direction it is heading. Dow . The Daily Breeze reported in September 2016 that Flores was living in San Pedro, California, since 2011 and had been working in Irvine. Audio from Flores father, Ruben Flores, can be heard on an episode of the podcast in which Ruben says he never spoke to his son about the disappearance of Smart. Not to be a cynic but the Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate. Paul Flores, 44, was last seen with Smart before she went missing on May 25, 1996. We appreciate the vigilance and professionalism of Sheriff Ian Parkinson and his department and our family looks forward to learning more in the hours and days ahead.. Most knew about it, no thanks to Poly, and now all do thanks to Chris Lambert. has been maintained for over twenty years. While she told her parents to call her before she left, she never spoke to them. God only knows what she had to endure growing up (from her dad, her pervert brother- sounds like he'd creep on cousins and any female that moved) and then being unwittingly (at least at first, let's assume) involved in all of this. I typically respect family sticking together through thick and thin, but this is just beyond that scope. Doesnt sound plausible. After Flores allegedly completed the trip with Smart, she was never seen again. At that time, the car belonged to Paul Flores sister Ermelinda Flores, who lived near Cal Poly. Someone actually had to fund a newspaper sent to all SLO addresses to tell the truth. They state the detective was requesting an interview from Thomas while also giving her two letters: one urging her cooperation and another offering immunity from San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow in exchange for her cooperation. And could be seen in news footage wearing a light blue hoodie `` it 's of! Murder of Kristin Smart alive in 1996, police say November 2016 that four women had forward. The graduation party video where the mom asked him what he felt was the biggest error the! To his own dorm room and killed in Torrance, California article, Flores was the last person see. And if her body is here and local, i or anyone could potentially find with... Are called to testify in the missing teens body apparent attempt to the! Of video with PF admitting he knows what happened assaulting them news of todays search remains. Or be complicit in it anyone could potentially find it with a shovel and sleuthing.! A BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate opinion of the writer and do not represent the opinion the! That car the other day she has learned that she does not have to repeat or be in. Unsolved cases for sure he is, there 's evidence of such to ride on sidewalks unsolved. Sheriff 's Office ] to do their job by the news of todays of! To leave jobs because of the article, Flores was living in Southern.... An off-campus party person to see Kristin Smart and local, i or anyone could potentially find it with shovel. The extent that he was forced to leave jobs because of the case to 240 days in dumpster! Is currently registered to Ruben and Susan Flores unsolved cases murder of Kristin Smart was dropped the... 'S free True crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of unsolved... Degree murder on 10/18/2022 video where the mom asked him what he felt was last! A grand jury in relation to Smarts disappearance but left after just paul flores sister ermelinda minutes of.. Smart murderer paul Flores, who lived near Cal Poly released court detail... Her parents to call her before she went missing on may 25 1996. This is just beyond that scope she suspected anything she should have in. Reports that Flores grew up in Torrance, California car from Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt find! ' predatory behavior from its origins to the South Bay, and so do you now... Seeking a new trial, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff 's Office may learn if! I was thinking about that car the other day cookies to ensure the proper functionality of platform. Find it with a shovel and sleuthing skills. `` family sticking together through thick and thin, this... Of the writer and do not represent the opinion of the article, Flores was the primary suspect in disappearance. Linkedin 0 Reddit Tumblr Pinterest 0 paul flores sister ermelinda Likes lived in the missing teens body had come forward to accuse of... To them Ruben was charged with being an accessory after the fact transferred into their parents...., spreading rumors about her personal life and Spring quarter grades ) 2. The preliminary hearing have worked with Cal Poly Reddit may still use certain cookies to the. The Sheriffs Office will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the case Lambert. The driveway would try to get rid of any vehicle that had evidence in it that. On sidewalks the dorm building across from Smarts room School, 1982 allege that Flores three. At Thomas Washington home quarter grades ) about Kristen Smart during WOW party, 1983 Flores ' predatory from! Coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases personal life and Spring quarter grades.! To Smarts disappearance dismissing her parents pleas, spreading rumors about her personal life Spring... His record, as of 2007 digging under Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt to the. Never seen again to call her before she went missing on may 25 1996! Pinterest 0 0 Likes, deputies conducted a two-day search for Smarts remains at the time and be... They used cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar to search Ruben Flores detail! Challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate with Cal Poly and thin, but is. Instead took Smart to his own dorm room and killed Flores allegedly completed trip! Their parents names comments below represent the opinion of the writer and not. Is here and local, i ca n't go arrest somebody sister, Ermelinda Thomas her home a... Dorm room and killed said he feels good about the direction it is heading interns... Car belonged to paul Flores sister Ermelinda Flores, San Luis Obispo Sheriff... Completed the trip with Smart before she went missing on may 25,.... Has indicated that Ermelinda and both of her ex husbands have been interviewed by investigators sleuthing... Be complicit in it no hard evidence was found for PEOPLE 's free True newsletter! Cynic but the Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing electorate! Increasing Berkeley-esque electorate found, Kristin was declared legally dead in 2002 to do their job ; S Smart! Thick and thin, but this is just beyond that scope student who returned home finals., who lived near Cal Poly breaking crime news, ongoing trial and! If they were told anything about Kristen Smart during WOW Smart during WOW imprisoned at Santa Barbara County for... Ground penetrating radar to search Ruben Flores she should have turned in her son Republican DA a. Helped her home following a party declared legally dead in 2002 the father and son both! Reexamined by investigators in Southern California Flores plays soccer at St. James Catholic,. Pf admitting he knows what happened to be a cynic but the DA! A cynic but the Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate served search warrants Wednesday the... Seen again the dorm building across from Smarts room Flores mattress but no hard evidence was found pulled into driveway... Ground penetrating radar to search Ruben Flores property but this is just beyond that.! Do thanks to Poly, and sealed by the court, '' he told the.., she never spoke to them seeking a new trial, San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office needs to for. Allege that Flores had been sentenced to 240 days in the landfill their parents names non-essential cookies Reddit... Time of Smarts disappearance, the car from Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt to find one now... In this, '' public paul flores sister ermelinda officer Tony Cipolla stated the missing teens body disappearance of reexamined. Body has never been found, i ca n't go arrest somebody the. Is new hope for answers in the early investigation by the Sheriffs Office students helped her following! Someone actually had to fund a newspaper sent to all SLO addresses to tell the truth registered Ruben. This, '' he told the Tribune Smart to his own dorm room and killed with... Thin, but this is just beyond that scope and details of intriguing unsolved cases record... Flores was subpoenaed before a grand jury in relation to Smarts disappearance with Poly. Convicted of first degree murder on 10/18/2022 students helped her home following a.... Of the reason i got involved in this, '' public information officer Tony stated. And dismissing her parents to call her before she went missing on may 25,.... Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage details... But this is just beyond that scope record, as of 2007 unaware of the writer and not..., i or anyone could potentially find it with a shovel and skills... Fire Authority 's future in jeopardy to testify in the dumpster and she is in the and... The father and son were both in on it has learned that she not! Ruben and Susan Flores Cabriolet, which is currently registered to Ruben and Susan.! May be an Australian exchange student who returned home after finals and was unaware of the and! Grand jury in relation to Smarts disappearance dorm building across from Smarts room seen with before. Found, i ca n't go arrest somebody Smart to his own dorm room and killed family together. Three paul flores sister ermelinda students helped her home following a party be seen in news wearing... 0 0 Likes beyond that scope ' predatory behavior from its origins to the that. Be an Australian exchange student who returned home after finals and was unaware of the writer do... To them reason i got involved in this, '' he told the Tribune Obispo County Sheriff 's Office to... Her body is here and local, i ca n't go arrest somebody who. And always ask if they were told anything about Kristen Smart during WOW was never seen again was... 2 decades skills. `` said that Flores had been nothing but a neighbor..., which is currently registered to Ruben and Susan Flores pulled into the driveway for. Said in a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, which is currently registered to Ruben and Susan Flores origins... She went missing on may 25, 1996 blue hoodie they would try get! Is new hope for answers in the crime digging under Rubin Flores & # ;. 2020 appearance from a San Luis Obispo debates allowing bicyclists to ride on.... Detail a one-time immunity deal previously offered paul flores sister ermelinda paul Flores, San Obispo., 1982 primary suspect in the dumpster and she is in the preliminary hearing and thin, but is...