Sheriff reflects on 30 years since Kristin Smart disappearance
Smart was a Cal Poly freshman when she was reported missing in May 1996.
Officials say Paul Flores’ conviction did not end the investigation
– Thirty years after Kristin Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to finding her and bringing her home.
In a statement released May 21, Sheriff Ian Parkinson reflected on the anniversary of Smart’s disappearance on May 25, 1996, and the lasting impact the case has had on her family, friends, investigators, and the community.
“Today, we remember Kristin,” Parkinson said. “A young woman whose life was stolen far too soon, but whose memory has never faded. For three decades, her family has carried the unimaginable weight of not knowing where she is, while our community has continued to hold onto hope that one day she will finally be brought home.”
Smart disappeared while attending California Polytechnic State University. In 2022, Paul Flores was convicted of her murder.
Parkinson said investigators, detectives, prosecutors, and community members remained committed to the case over the past 30 years, leading to Flores’ conviction. However, he said the case remains unresolved because Smart has not been found.
“As I said following the verdict in 2022, there is no true justice until Kristin is reunited with her family,” Parkinson said. “That remains our mission today. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to pursue leads, conduct searches, and follow every path that could help us find Kristin. We will not stop searching for her, and we will not allow her to be forgotten.”
Parkinson said Smart was “more than a headline or a case that captured national attention.”
“She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a young woman with her entire future ahead of her,” he said. “Thirty years later, she is still deeply missed.”
Parkinson also addressed the Smart family and the broader community in his statement.
“To the Smart family: we continue to stand with you,” he said. “And to our community: thank you for never giving up on Kristin. Our commitment remains unwavering. Until Kristin is brought home, this mission is not over.”
