People Magazine Investigates: The Disappearance of Kristin Smart

The latest episode of ‘People Magazine Investigates’ revisits the unresolved case of Kristin Smart, a California Polytechnic State University student who vanished in San Luis Obispo in 1996. Smart, a 19-year-old freshman, went missing after attending an off-campus party during the Memorial Day weekend.

On the evening that she disappeared, Smart was last seen being helped by fellow students after she was found partially unconscious on a neighbor’s lawn. Among those assisting her was freshman Paul Flores, who volunteered to walk Smart back to her on-campus residence hall, Muir Hall. However, Smart never reached her dormitory and has not been seen since.

Smart’s failure to appear for a scheduled study session the following day prompted her friends to notify campus police. Unfortunately, a full investigation into her disappearance did not commence until days later when classes resumed.

Suspicion initially fell on the theory that Smart may have left on an unplanned vacation, but authorities later interviewed individuals last seen with her, including Flores. Flores resided in Santa Lucia Hall and claimed to have last seen Smart walking away on her own after reaching his dorm. However, police grew suspicious when they noticed abrasions and a black eye on Flores, who claimed these injuries were from a basketball game played two days post-disappearance.

Sheriff Ian Parkinson of the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office stated in the People Magazine clip that during interviews, Flores appeared to be acting unusually. Investigators who spoke to Flores’ roommate described him as «weird and quirky.» Flores reportedly mentioned being with the missing student, and when questioned about this, he allegedly joked that she was having lunch with his mother.

Subsequently, Flores was named a person of interest in this case, but categorically remained free of formal charges regarding Smart’s disappearance.

The episode «Where Is Kristin Smart?» airs tonight on ID/Investigation Discovery and is available to stream on Max, providing a detailed exploration of the events surrounding Smart’s disappearance and the continuing investigation efforts.