Episode
New search warrant in Kristin Smart case, decades after 19-year-old disappeared
- Podcast
- Murder Files Unsealed
- Published
- May 7, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1938
- Processing state
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Summary
This episode details the decades-long investigation into the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart, a California college student who vanished after a party. It chronicles the eventual conviction of Paul Flores for her murder in 2022, a legal victory achieved despite the fact that her remains have never been recovered. The narrative highlights how modern forensic science and a popular true-crime podcast revitalized a cold case that was once stalled by early investigative errors. Central to the account is the persistent search for her body, which led authorities to execute fresh search warrants at the Flores family property as recently as 2026. Ultimately, the source examines the resilience of the Smart family and the evolving technology used to provide final closure to a thirty-year mystery. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support .