Paul Flores
On May 25, 1996, a California college student vanished. The investigation that followed became a textbook example of investigative persistence, turning a single suspect into a convicted murderer nearly three decades later. This is the complete story of Paul Flores.
Who is Paul Flores?
Paul Flores is the man convicted of the 1996 murder of Kristin Smart. He was a 19-year-old California Polytechnic State University student when Smart disappeared, and he has maintained his innocence despite his conviction.
Paul Flores Biography & Personal Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paul Flores |
| Date of Birth | January 16, 1978 |
| Age at Conviction | 44 |
| Current Age | 48 |
| Place of Birth | Arroyo Grande, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Latino |
| Parents | Susan Flores (mother), Ruben Flores (father) |
| Siblings | Ruben Flores Jr. (brother) |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Education | Arroyo Grande High School; California Polytechnic State University (attended) |
| Occupation Before Conviction | Technician |
| Current Status | Incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison, California |
| Sentence | 25 years to life in prison |
The Early Years: A Normal Childhood
Paul Flores grew up in Arroyo Grande, a small California town, with his parents Susan and Ruben Flores . His mother was a homemaker, while his father worked in construction. The family experienced significant change when Paul was in his early teens—his parents divorced, and his father remarried . Despite these family changes, Paul maintained close relationships with both parents.
Academically, Flores showed little distinction during his school years. Classmates and teachers described him as an average student without notable extracurricular achievements . He graduated from Arroyo Grande High School before enrolling at California Polytechnic State University in nearby San Luis Obispo.
College Years and the Cal Poly Connection
At Cal Poly, Paul Flores pursued a degree in computer science. His college experience painted a picture of a student more focused on social activities than academics. Struggling with his grades, Flores developed a reputation among peers as someone who frequently partied and pursued romantic interests .
Paul Flores and Kristin Smart moved in overlapping social circles during this time. Both were freshmen navigating campus life at Cal Poly. Flores reportedly had a crush on Smart, but their relationship remained platonic . He never made any romantic advances toward her that were known to friends.
This changed everything on Memorial Day weekend 1996.
The Night Kristin Smart Disappeared
On May 25, 1996, Paul Flores attended an off-campus party near Cal Poly. Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old freshman, was at the same gathering . Witnesses observed her consuming alcohol and becoming heavily intoxicated.
Around 2:00 a.m., Flores and Smart left the party together. This was the last time Kristin Smart was seen alive. Flores later claimed he walked her back to her dormitory, but surveillance and witness accounts did not corroborate this story . A black eye that he sustained that night would become a source of suspicion—Flores initially told investigators he got it playing basketball. Friends disputed this story, and he later changed his account, saying he hit his head while working on his car .
The Painstaking Investigation
Early Missteps
The initial investigation into Kristin Smart’s disappearance was plagued by problems. Law enforcement did not immediately treat her case as a potential crime, allowing crucial evidence to disappear . Paul Flores quickly became the prime person of interest, but a lack of physical evidence prevented immediate charges.
The “Your Own Backyard” Podcast Breakthrough
The case remained in legal limbo for over two decades. A true crime podcast, “Your Own Backyard,” breathed new life into the investigation by uncovering fresh witness testimony and drawing public attention back to the unsolved mystery . This pressure pushed authorities to take a fresh look at the evidence.
Digital Evidence and Uncovering the Pattern
Prosecutors obtained a search warrant for Flores’s computer and uncovered disturbing videos of him having sex with women who appeared unconscious . This evidence established a pattern of predatory behavior—offering women drinks, waiting for them to become incapacitated, and then assaulting them .
The Trial and Conviction of Paul Flores
A Long-Awaited Arrest
In April 2021, authorities arrested Paul Flores for the murder of Kristin Smart. Prosecutors argued that Flores killed her during an attempted rape in his dorm room . His father, Ruben Flores, was also arrested and charged with helping hide Smart’s body under his deck .
The Verdict
After a lengthy trial that began in July 2022, Paul Flores was found guilty of first-degree murder in October 2022. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in March 2023 . Judge Jennifer O’Keefe described him as “a cancer to society” and ordered him to register as a sex offender for life . Ruben Flores was acquitted of accessory charges.
The Ongoing Search for Kristin Smart’s Remains
Despite the conviction, the whereabouts of Kristin Smart’s remains remains one of the case’s most heartbreaking mysteries. Paul Flores continues to maintain his innocence and claims he does not know where Smart’s body is .
The May 2026 Search
In May 2026, investigators served a search warrant at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, Paul’s mother . This was not the first time the property had been searched. But new advances in soil testing technology had created new leads.
Sheriff Ian Parkinson reported that the search was prompted by evidence indicating the presence of human remains . Technicians used ground-penetrating radar and analyzed soil compounds associated with decomposing human bodies.
Ultimately, the search concluded without recovering Kristin Smart’s remains. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office stated they remain “fully committed to finding Kristin and bringing her home to her family” .
Impact on the Smart Family
The Smart family has spent three decades in a state of grief and uncertainty. They have publicly expressed their pain, describing their years of “heartache, frustration, and setbacks” . Denise Smart, Kristin’s mother, told CNN that she believes Paul Flores continues to “stand in the way of our daughter being returned to us” .
In 2024, a judge ordered Paul Flores to pay over $350,000 to Smart’s family for expenses incurred after their daughter’s death . The family offered to forgo the payment if Flores would reveal the location of Kristin’s body, an offer his legal team did not accept.
Victims Beyond Kristin
During the trial, two women testified that Paul Flores had raped them after they blacked out at bars . The judge allowed this testimony, citing a pattern of “predatory behavior” that mirrored what happened to Smart. Jurors stated that these testimonies were instrumental in their decision to convict Flores .
Paul Flores in Prison
Paul Flores currently serves his sentence at Pleasant Valley State Prison in California. Reports indicate he has been physically attacked by other inmates on at least two occasions . His appeals have been denied, and he continues to serve his sentence for a crime he insists he did not commit.
The Paul Flores Case: Key Facts
- Paul Flores was convicted in 2022 for the 1996 murder of Kristin Smart.
- He was a college classmate of Smart at California Polytechnic State University.
- Flores was the last person seen with Smart before she vanished.
- He was 19 at the time of Smart’s disappearance and 44 at the time of his conviction.
- Paul Flores is currently serving a 25-years-to-life prison sentence.
- Kristin Smart’s remains have never been found.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Paul Flores?
Paul Flores is a California man convicted of the 1996 murder of Kristin Smart, a Cal Poly student who disappeared after a party.
What did Paul Flores do?
Flores was convicted of killing Kristin Smart during an attempted rape at their university. Prosecutors argued he attacked her in his dorm room after she was heavily intoxicated.
Where is Paul Flores now?
Paul Flores is currently incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison in California, serving a 25-years-to-life sentence for first-degree murder.
What is the relationship between Paul Flores and Kristin Smart?
Paul Flores and Kristin Smart were classmates at Cal Poly. They were acquaintances who attended the same party on the night she disappeared. Flores was the last person seen with her.
Who are Paul Flores’ parents?
Paul Flores’ parents are Susan Flores and Ruben Flores. Ruben Flores was charged as an accessory for allegedly helping hide Smart’s body, but he was acquitted.
How old was Paul Flores when Kristin Smart disappeared?
Paul Flores was 19 years old at the time of Kristin Smart’s disappearance in May 1996. He was 44 years old when he was convicted of her murder.
Why did it take so long to convict Paul Flores?
The investigation was hampered by early missteps and lack of physical evidence, including Smart’s remains. New evidence, podcast attention, and witness testimony eventually led to the conviction in 2022.
Has Kristin Smart’s body been found?
No, Kristin Smart’s remains have never been found, despite continued searches. The most recent search in May 2026 at the home of Flores’ mother did not locate her.
Did Paul Flores know Kristin Smart before the murder?
Yes, Paul Flores and Kristin Smart were both freshmen at Cal Poly and moved in overlapping social circles. Flores reportedly had a crush on her.
Is Paul Flores still claiming innocence?
Yes, Paul Flores continues to maintain his innocence and, through his attorneys, has said he does not know the location of Kristin Smart’s body.
Conclusion: A Case That Continues
The story of Paul Flores and Kristin Smart represents both a failure and a triumph of the justice system. It took nearly three decades to convict a killer, but the victim’s remains remain missing. The Smart family’s relentless pursuit of justice serves as a powerful reminder that closure for families of crime victims often remains elusive even after a guilty verdict. The search for Kristin Smart continues, and until she is found, this chapter of California criminal history remains incomplete.
About the Author
