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Authorities Use Cadaver Dogs To Search Home Belonging To Father Of ‘Prime Suspect’ In Kristin Smart Case
Authorities are at the Arroyo Grande home of Ruben Flores, the father of Paul Flores, who was the last person to see Kristin Smart before she disappeared in 1996.
Investigators are using cadaver dogs and ground-penetrating radar to search a California property that belongs to the father of the "prime suspect" in the Kristin Smart case.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office announced Monday that a search warrant had been served at the Arroyo Grande home of Ruben Flores.
"Flores is the father of Paul Flores, who remains the prime suspect in the disappearance of Kristin Smart in 1996,” authorities wrote.
They have been authorized to utilize cadaver dogs and ground-penetrating radar during the search of the property. The process could take up to two days, authorities said.
"They are beginning the process of searching the property surrounding the home," Tony Cipolla, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office told Oxygen.com Monday, adding that the cadaver dogs had arrived and were beginning their search.
Smart, a California Polytechnic State University student, vanished in 1996 following a college party and has never been found. Paul Flores allegedly was the last person to see her, escorting her home from gathering that night. However, he's never officially been charged in her disappearance and he has always maintained his innocence.
Authorities have previously served search warrants at locations in California and Washington state, including Flores’ home last year, where investigators said they found “items of interest.”
Just last month, Flores was arrested on a weapons charge related to a search warrant executed in the Smart case.
He posted a $35,000 bond and has since been released. His next court date is scheduled for June 6.
The latest search warrant has been sealed and investigators said they won’t be disclosing any further details regarding it.
“We are encouraged by the news of today’s search of Ruben Flores’ property,” John Segale, a spokesperson for the Smart family told Oxygen.com over email. “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.”
Smart, who vanished when she was 19, was declared legally dead in 2002. She would have turned 44 last month.
