Prosecutors released new details about the investigation into the two decade old disappearance, and murder of a Central Coast college student which led to two arrests this week.
After decades of mystery, two men are set to appear in court Thursday morning to face charges for the death of Kristen Smart.
The 19-year-old Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student was last seen walking home from an off-campus party to her dorm in 1996.
Prosecutors arrested a Cal Poly classmate who had offered to walk her home. Paul Flores is charged with first-degree murder during the commission of a rape. They believe he attacked her in his dorm room. Ruben Flores, Paul’s father, is charged with being an accessory to the murder. Prosecutors say he helped deal with Smart’s body.
Smart’s body hasn’t been recovered, but San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow says they now know where to look. Dow says they’re hoping to recover Smart’s remains, but even without them they have a strong case.
Dow says they think it’s possible Paul Flores may be responsible for sexually assaulting additional women over the years near his Los Angeles area home.
