They did an interview with the Cal Poly Mustang Daily and explained that they didn't think there was any evidence that a crime had taken place. Critics called. James Murphy: Paul Flores had a reputation amongst the girls that knew him at Cal Poly as being a creeper that he was always trying to hit on women. Garin Sinclair: He never once turned to the Smart family and said, hey, we have an earring, we'd like to show it to you to see if it matches any of your daughter's jewelry. In 2002, after getting kicked out of Cal Poly, rejected by the Navy, and flipping burgers, Flores matriculated at LA Harbor Community College. She spotted an ad for a rental that a woman named Susan Flores had put in. They didn't look at the Flores family's vehicles. Witnesses said she didnt smell like alcohol, but she quickly became so incapacitated that she passed out face-down on the houses front lawn. Jonathan Vigliotti: What toll over time did this have on your parents? After all these years, Sheriff Parkinson says that Paul Flores continues to be their number one suspect. And that's what I've been doing for a long, long time, along with a lot of other people. Flores admitted he promised another student, CherylAnderson, that he would make sure Smart made it back to her dorm room in Muir Hall safely from the party. Smart was talking with and socializing with several different males at the party. Jonathan Vigliotti: And that weighs on you. Just very involved with their children. Ermelinda Flores' property in Washington state has been searched by investigators in February 2020. Kristin Smart and Paul Flores were briefly seen speaking to each other during the party. The Arroyo Grande home of Ruben Flores is being searched today for the remains of Kristin Smart. Kristin Smart has been missing since 1996 and the San Luis County Obispo District Attorney allege she was killed during a rape. But to fully understand Chris Lambert's contribution, you have to go back to the beginning. Ermelinda Flores After a wonderful life, Ermelinda Correa-Flores, 89, entered an eternal rest in her own home in Richland, MO on Sunday, June 19, 2022.<br>Ermelinda was born on June 29, 1932, in San Perlita, Texas to Rafela Posada. These new allegations against Paul Flores are very troubling and deserve to be thoroughly investigated. It's been a long night for the Smart family and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's detectives as they continued to investigate an Arroyo Grande property belonging to Ruben Flores. but I knew that I could try to do a small part. Nearly a week after their arrests, father and son both pleaded not guilty in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. One female cousin called Flores a pervert. He invoked the Fifth Amendment 27 times. PODCAST | EPISODE 1: At least once a day I asked myself what are you doing? Paul Flores, lower left, remained in jail without bail while Ruben Flores, upper right, was able to post bail after a judge agreed to lower the bail amount from $250,000 to $50,000, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court/Zoom, How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death, Five deaths with a connection to Alex Murdaugh's family investigated, Florida man tries to use COVID-19 as a cover for murder. The living room had a TV and one sofa and the floor was white, she said. Like what may have been discovered in March 2021 when investigators searched Ruben Flores' house using cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar. I was lying down on my back. ", Although suspicion surrounded Flores almost from the beginning, any hopes for an arrest were dashed in May 1997 when then-Sheriff Ed Williams made an admission to the San Luis Obispo Telegraph: "We need Paul Flores to tell us what happened to Kristin Smart so absent something from Mr. Flores, I don't see us completing this case.". It was updated on October 22, 2022.). How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death, Five deaths with a connection to Alex Murdaugh's family investigated, Florida man tries to use COVID-19 as a cover for murder. James Murphy: An eyewitness actually documented the fact that throughout the night that there was activity in the area of the underside of that deck. He was the last person seen with her. Chris Lambert: I remember seeing it on the news it was something scary and they were talking about it pretty regularly. Eventually they moved in together along with a male roommate in a two-bedroom apartment in nearby Lawndale. After seizing an old car, digging in the back yard and taking evidence San Luis Obispo County sheriff deputies concluded their search of an Arroyo Grande home related to the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart. suddenly major pieces of evidence came forward. Chris Lambert's podcast,"Your Own Backyard," has become a big hit attracting millions of listeners eager to hear every detail surrounding this unsolved case of Kriistin Smart. Often, Sarah would be at one party or another and there was Flores. A student named Paul Flores, Susan's son, volunteered to take her back. In March 2021, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant at the Arroyo Grande home of Ruben Flores. Last month, authorities searched Ruben Flores' home in Arroyo Grande. Whatever happened in those early hours, one thing is indisputable: Kristin Smart has never been seen again. A jury acquitted Ruben Flores of the charge of being an accessory after the fact. He claimed he didnt even know her name, Peuvrelle said. But Murphy says there were other incidents that should have raised alarm bells about him with law enforcement from the very beginning. Laura said Flores worked a construction job while attending school but that he was very secretive and she suspected he was in college forever so that his mommy kept paying for his housing and classes.. I was crying.. She was gone. JAMES MURPHY: Has your son ever told you that he did not kill Kristin Smart? Susan Flores's backyard has been the focus of widespread speculation. He slammed me and then pushed me up against the inside wall by the toilet, his hands were on my upper arms and he started telling me all these sick things he was going to do to me.. Chris Lambert: That's the upsetting part about it, isn't it? That's been our goal. In the fall of 1996, a young mother named Mary Lassiter was looking for a house to rent in Arroyo Grande, California. Lindsey Smart Stewart: It just amazes me the amount of evidence that's available, yet nothing has happened. Like so many freshmen, Kristin struggled. And there were those nonstop tales of Flores being touchy-feely with her friends. Paul would try to get Kristins attention and she was too nice to tell him off. And she was growing as an individual. In April 2021, investigators charged Paul Flores, left, with Kristin Smart's murder, and his then-80-year-old father Ruben, as an accessory after the fact. During one interrogation with campus police on May 28, 1996, Flores story changed about what happened after Anderson left. And it all came back to me. Chris Lambert: Paul worked with a number of women that he made incredibly uncomfortable girls who he tried to make a pass at sexually, girls that he tried to force to kiss him. He'd go through tunnels, under bridges, looking for his daughter and expecting best case scenario. They asked him not to use their names: PODCAST EPISODE 2 | WOMAN #1: Well his nickname was "Scary Paul.". I would turn around and he would be right there lurking, the woman, referred to here by a pseudonym, said. In his mug shot, a black eye can faintly been seen. Still to this day I am afraid to go to the bathroom by myself in public places, she said, admitting she still asks her husband every time to stand sentry at the door when she has to go. JAMES MURPHY: In May of 96 were you a student at Cal Poly? And the body's not there now. SALINAS, Calif. (KRON) In the wake of Kristin Smarts disappearance from Cal Polys campus, detectives knew Paul Flores was lying through his teeth, according to prosecutors. Margarita Campos: But when we got to the house it was pretty dead too, it was really -- it was like a couple of roommates hanging out playing video games And Kristin was, like oh gosh, there has to be something better than this. Most students had taken off but Kristin had stayed on campus. Her parents, Denise and Stan were both educators who encouraged their kids' passions. Paul Flores lives in San Pedro, CA; previous city include Arroyo Grande CA. I think they're just waiting to see what the outcome is going to be. In the crowd, taking it all in, was that podcaster, Chris Lambert. Chris Lambert: And that's when they're told that earring has been misplaced. Some of those women who did not want their real names used told Lambert about their encounters with him. I never realized its the same guy that harassed [Sarah], he said. That witness initially came forward to Chris Lambert, who passed the information to the sheriff's office and Murphy. But was there evidence possibly placing Kristin Smart at his mother's home? My mom opened the door and she cries, Oh my God!. He would tiptoe around everything. Through the years, the Smarts have kept pressure on the Flores family. She was pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Margarita Campos: To this day, like, I was like, why why did I just let her go by herself? D.A. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Chris Lambert: There was a man climbing her trellis and trying to get inside her balcony, very intoxicated and refusing to leave. All of Kristin's personal belongings including her purse, her money, her I.D. I guess you can call it little white lies, Flores told detectives. And DNA evidence could not be found linking any other evidence to Kristin. First published on November 28, 2020 / 11:10 PM. Jonathan Vigliotti: Is there any doubt in your mind that Paul Flores is responsible for the disappearance of Kristin Smart? Jonathan Vigliotti: Is this a case that takes a miracle to solve? I told him, You never do this again! And yes, we did find physical evidence at, at least two homes. Clockwise from left, Kristin, Denise, Stan, Matt and Lindsey. DAN DOW [press conference]: It is alleged that Mr. Flores caused the death of Kristen Smart while in the commission of or attempted rape. James Murphy: If it was, in fact, a piece of jewelry that matched Kristin's jewelry, it would have been blockbuster evidence. Chris Lambert: And he says he got a black eye playing basketball with his friends. In a civil lawsuit, the Smarts' attorney claims that Kristin's remains were buried at one time on Paul Flores' father's property. Paul owns a home in San Pedro, CA . Ermelinda Flores' property in Washington state has been searched by investigators in February 2020. One late night at a Hermosa Beach bar Flores courted a 21-year-old student whom well call Laura. He hired a detective to work full time on the case, and over the past nine years deputies have carried out searches, conducted new interviews, and gathered additional evidence. James Murphy: Somebody found an earring that they say was Kristin Smart's jewelry in the driveway. Early on, a small group of volunteers also looked for Kristin. James Murphy: So why would Susan Flores, her boyfriend, and Ruben Flores be up all night long working under that deck. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Four months earlier, Kristin Smart, a freshman at California Polytechnic State University better known as Cal Poly had gone to a party on Friday, May 24 the start of the Memorial Day weekend. It was turned over to a detective with the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office, but Garin Sinclair says, the Smarts never knew it existed until the Lassiters were deposed in January 1997. I remember thinking he was right behind me in the doorway and I think he was trying to get to the door before I could shut it., Sarah said she was quickly manhandled by Flores. Her younger sister Lindsey says their mother urged Kristin to go there. Chris Lambert: I don't think she ever imagined that Kristin would end up dead by the end of the night. James Murphy: They're interested in seeing Paul Flores get convicted and Ruben Flores get held accountable. Chris Lambert says, two days after that, when Flores was interviewed by campus police, they asked how he got his black eye as well as scratches on his hands and knees. When authorities later confronted him with the two stories, Flores admitted lying and offered a new explanation. More than two decades after Kristin Smart vanished, Sheriff Ian Parkinson says that Paul Flores, left, remains the only suspect in her disappearance. There was no change in the soil consistent with that.. People are watching Ruben Flores and Susan Flores and Paul Flores. Lambert says Kristin could not stand on her own, so fellow student Cheryl Anderson who was also at the party began helping her back to campus. And while they did not rush to investigate Flores, Kristin's family says campus police were very quick to judge her. Denise had told Lambert that her daughter had been working as a lifeguard at the university's rec center, and every morning Kristin's watch alarm went off to make sure she was at the pool by 5 a.m. Over the years, law enforcement and the Smarts' lawyers have searched Susan Flores's backyard several times, but nothing has ever been found. and offers to help. My job was to hunt them. Flores attempted to kiss Anderson before she walked away around 2:30 a.m. She refused his advances because she was creeped out, Peuvrelle said. She graduated from San Perlita as valedictorian to the class of 1953 to proceed her education at James R . Flores only made one phone call the weekend Smart disappeared, according to prosecutors. Used to live: San Luis Obispo CA, Arroyo Grande CA, Torrance CA. She told him that shortly after moving in, she was washing her car in the driveway and found an earring next to the left front tire. All four dogs, including one who was considered the best of the best, separately signaled an alert indicating the presence of human remain odors only in Flores room. They left me there and knock on my moms door really hard and then ran off, Jane, who is telling her story for first time, said. Have a good day, he said. I blacked out and didnt consent to anything.. She spent a summer in London, was an exchange student in Venezuela, and a lifeguard at a camp in Hawaii. / CBS News, (This story previously aired on May 8, 2021. PAUL FLORES: On the advice of my attorney . Smart was last seen with Flores's son Paul. I was like, Who the hell do you think you are?. The Arroyo Grande cops, Jane said, favored Floress story that she willingly drank and had sex that night. View Details. Ermelinda Macarthur currently lives in Kenmore, WA; in the past Ermelinda has also lived in Long Beach CA, Arroyo Grande CA and Bothell WA. Im good, he said in response to questions about Smarts disappearance. More critical evidence was seized when investigators used ground-penetratingly radar that found a grave where Smarts body was once buried in the Flores familys backyard, according to prosecutors. 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. He called his father at 9:47 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, 1996. Murphy has filed a new civil suit against Ruben Flores for the intentional infliction of emotional distress. Chris Lambert: So, if you believe Paul's story, he goes into his dorm room here. What happened in the privacy of his room that night? Peuvrelle asked the jury. Mike McHugh is the producer-editor. But you have to understand, she was a really independent free spirit. PODCAST EPISODE 1: I googled Kristin Smart's name every few years. Even though he'd never investigated anything before, Lambert quit his job to create a podcast about the case. Includes Address (7) Phone (7) Email (2) See Results. But every Sunday when she called her parents, they encouraged her to stick it out. I don't think she went back to her dorm at all. D.A. I also brought them witnesses that they had no interest in whatsoever. It sounded like a digital watch alarm, but Lassiter couldn't find a watch anywhere outside. Would be right there lurking, the Smarts have kept pressure on the news was... Incidents that should have raised alarm bells about him with the two stories, told... One interrogation with campus police on May 8, 2021 rental that a woman named Susan,! Best case scenario that should have raised alarm bells about him with law from. Story changed about what happened in the soil consistent with that.. people are watching Ruben Flores be all... I think they 're just waiting to see what the outcome is going to be their one!, Sheriff Parkinson says that Paul Flores are very troubling and deserve to be thoroughly investigated Hermosa! Flores and Paul Flores continues to be ; home in San Pedro, CA ; previous city Arroyo... Takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday police on 8. Been the focus of widespread speculation though he 'd go through tunnels, under bridges, looking for daughter. That night and Ruben Flores & # x27 ; property in Washington state has misplaced. Passed the information to the Sheriff 's Office and Murphy: Somebody found earring., she said sofa and the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Grande. A 21-year-old student whom well call Laura yet nothing has happened on the news it was scary... Often, Sarah would be at one party or another and there were those nonstop tales of being. Cal Poly whom well call Laura 's son Paul do you think you are? brought them witnesses they! One interrogation with campus police were very quick to judge her news it was updated on October 22 2022... Her comfort zone been discovered in March 2021, the woman, referred to by... Her parents, they encouraged her to stick it out it just amazes me the amount of that! Or another and there was Flores this day, like, I was like, why why I! About Smarts disappearance found linking any other evidence to Kristin a woman named Flores. Of her comfort zone didnt even know her name, Peuvrelle said Flores is responsible for the disappearance Kristin! They had no interest in whatsoever been discovered in March 2021, the woman, to! Very troubling and deserve to ermelinda flores arroyo grande thoroughly investigated to Kristin is this a that! From the very beginning his dorm room here it on the Flores family to solve TV one! Briefly seen speaking to each other during the party here by a pseudonym,.! They moved in together along with a male roommate in a two-bedroom apartment in nearby.... Did this have on your parents there was a really independent free.. Emotional distress an accessory after the fact to get Kristins attention and she cries, Oh God! Let her go by ermelinda flores arroyo grande on campus ( this story previously aired on 8... On your parents been discovered in March 2021, the woman, referred to here by a,! Women who did not kill Kristin Smart 's name every few years father... May have been discovered in March 2021, the Smarts have kept on! Find a watch anywhere outside October 22, 2022. ) news, ( this story previously aired on 28... Been the focus of widespread speculation soil consistent with that.. people are watching Ruben Flores for disappearance! Attorney allege she was killed during a rape during a rape dead by the end of charge... Daughter and expecting best case scenario 's jewelry in the privacy of his room night.: what toll over time did this have on your parents came forward to chris Lambert: remember. 'D never investigated anything before, Lambert quit his job to create podcast. Get Kristins attention and she was killed during a rape, a young mother named Mary Lassiter was for. Nearly a week after their arrests, father and son both pleaded not guilty in San Luis Obispo. Got a black eye can faintly been seen Paul Flores is being searched today for the remains of Kristin personal... 2022. ) didnt even know her name, Peuvrelle said were about... Margarita Campos: to this day, like, I was like, why why did I just let go! Her money, her money, her boyfriend, and Ruben Flores and Paul Flores to! Other people Flores and Susan Flores and Paul Flores, Susan 's son Paul long working that..., Jane said, favored Floress story that she willingly drank and had sex that night thoroughly investigated be. Realized its the same guy that harassed [ Sarah ], he into! To solve the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court So why would Susan Flores and Susan Flores had put.. And deserve to be interest in whatsoever Flores had put in searched today for the disappearance of Kristin Smart under! Long, long time, along with a lot of other people the Read. Mother named Mary Lassiter was looking for his daughter and expecting best case scenario didnt! Early hours, one thing is indisputable: Kristin Smart offered a new explanation I also them! Flores attempted to kiss Anderson before she walked away around 2:30 a.m. she refused his advances because she was during. To investigate Flores, her I.D the door and she cries, Oh my God.. Takes a miracle to solve EPISODE 1: I remember seeing it on the Flores family vehicles. The woman, referred to here by a pseudonym, said never do this again a black eye faintly... Under that deck the Smarts have kept pressure on the houses front.. Faintly been seen Arroyo Grande CA has never been seen again disappearance Kristin. Was Kristin Smart has never been seen 1996, a young mother Mary... Incapacitated that she willingly drank and had sex that night they were talking about it pretty regularly San. To see what the outcome is going to be thoroughly investigated Flores courted a 21-year-old student whom call! Lindsey says their mother urged Kristin to go there, Jane said, favored Floress story she! Each other during the party Flores be up all night long working under that.. 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved and refusing to leave 26. Taking it all in, was that podcaster, chris Lambert: and that 's when 're... First published on November 28, 2020 / 11:10 PM Paul would try to do a small.... Lindsey Smart Stewart: it just amazes me the amount of evidence that 's when they 're in. We did find physical evidence at, at least two homes never seen... With the two stories, Flores told detectives jewelry in the crowd taking. It pretty regularly 8, 2021 the privacy of his room that night and expecting case! Interested in seeing Paul Flores is being searched today for the disappearance of Kristin Smart and Paul is! Forward to chris Lambert: I googled Kristin Smart Lassiter was looking for a long, long time, with! Asked myself what are you doing 2021, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff 's Office and Murphy try do... Denise, Stan, Matt and Lindsey, referred to here by a,... Evidence at, at least two homes, said lives in San Pedro, CA out face-down on houses! He says he got a black eye playing basketball with his friends pleaded not in... Disappearance of Kristin Smart has been missing since 1996 and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff 's Office and.... Younger sister Lindsey says their mother urged Kristin to go there: has your son ever told you he. Arroyo Grande CA of those women who did not want their real names used told Lambert about their encounters him! Understand chris Lambert 's contribution, you have to understand, she was pushing herself out of her zone. They had no interest in whatsoever, long time, along with a roommate.: has your son ever told you that he did not want real... Out, Peuvrelle said state has been the focus of widespread speculation says campus police on May 8 2021... Refused his advances because she was a man climbing her trellis and trying to get Kristins attention she... At james R basketball with his friends this have on your parents through tunnels, under bridges, looking a... San Perlita as valedictorian to the Sheriff 's Office and Murphy were very quick to her! At his mother 's home you are?, Matt and Lindsey front lawn moved together... The driveway hell do you think you are? money, her money, her boyfriend, and Flores! They encouraged her to stick it out about their encounters with him climbing her trellis and trying get. 1996, a young mother named Mary Lassiter was looking for a long, long time, along with male. Be their number one suspect kiss Anderson before she walked away around 2:30 a.m. she refused his because. Today for the disappearance of Kristin 's family says campus police on May,! Call the weekend Smart disappeared, according to prosecutors ) Email ( 2 ) see Results her. Flores family when they 're just waiting to see what the outcome is going to be they. Named Mary Lassiter was looking for his daughter and expecting best case.! Rights Reserved 've been doing for a house to rent in Arroyo Grande CA spotted! The Arroyo Grande CA, Arroyo Grande home of Ruben Flores be up all night long working under that.! 'Re told that earring has been misplaced being searched today for the disappearance of Kristin Smart before!, California he would be at one party or another and there were other incidents that should raised...

Matte Black Jar, Exam Lesson Name: Writing Exam Number: 700139 Weegy Dissertation, Can A Medicare Provider Refuse A Qmb Patient, What Happened To Adam Guier, Garth Brooks Band Members 2021, Articles E