The Charley Project said that Flores had been offered a plea deal involving a guilty plea for involuntary manslaughter with a six-year prison term. For more information, please see our That's when Denise Smart learned her daughter had not been seen all weekend, and all her belongings were still in her dorm room. Nearly a week after their arrests, father and son both pleaded not guilty in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. Susan Flores, an Arroyo Grande resident whose son Paul is the prime suspect in Smart's disappearance, broke her silence after new searches in the haunting case last week. When Kristin Smart disappeared, Paul Flores's parents Susan and Ruben were separated and living apart. I was throwing up and they were saying Oh this bitch! and This bitch better not throw up on me.. James Murphy: Every day. James Murphy: Having a black eye doesn't make you guilty of anything but if the person you were with disappeared from the planet that's physical evidence. To think that you're going to finally get some resolution, and then it doesn't happen the way it's supposed to. Please enter valid email address to continue. DAN DOW [press conference]: We intend to use evidence of other sexual crimes in this prosecution to prove the facts necessary for the attempted rape in this case. Other names that Ermelinda uses includes Ermelinda M Macarthur, Ermelinda M Flores, Ermelinda M Mac Arthur, Ermelinda Flores and Ermelinda M Thomas. They might have found evidence in those vehicles. Jonathan Vigliotti: They thought she was off possibly having fun. but I knew that I could try to do a small part. Jonathan Vigliotti: How did you know she hadn't been back? Authorities dug up areas around the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, Paul Flores mother, in May 2007 but turned up no evidence of Smarts whereabouts, the Santa Maria Times reported. When asked about how he got the injury Flores told three different stories. A woman nearby screamed at Flores to get off her and threatened to call the cops, she said. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff deputies arrested Paul Flores, the primary suspect in the disappearance of Kristin Smart, and his father, Ruben Flores, at separate locations Tuesday morning.. Chris Lambert: It's hard to take too much credit But I was one piece of the puzzle that helped to make this all come together when it did. Susan's house was finally searched in March 1997 nine months after Kristin disappeared but nothing was found. They're known for being a really safe school.". Hes on top of me. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Back in May 1996, Kristin Smart was finishing her freshman year at California Polytechnic State University better known as Cal Poly. The parents. Heres hoping that the truth about what that dirtbag and his dad did comes out and Kristin gets the justice she deserves. She was last seen alive with Paul Flores, a classmate who offered to walk an inebriated Smart to her room. For more than two decades, her family, friends, and supporters searched for answers and for justice. Most knew about it, no thanks to Poly, and now all do thanks to Chris Lambert. Kristen was last seen leaving a party with Paul Flores on the night of her disappearance on May 25, 1996. Now. Prior to that incident, Susan Flores and her boyfriend had filed a harassment lawsuit against Smarts family. Do a little research before sharing your sage advice. JAMES MURPHY: Would you state your full name for the record please. 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. Chris Lambert: I wish I knew why. Someone actually had to fund a newspaper sent to all SLO addresses to tell the truth. I never realized its the same guy that harassed [Sarah], he said. Chris Lambert: I don't think she ever imagined that Kristin would end up dead by the end of the night. Authorities served another search warrant at Paul Flores home in April 2020. I was like Oh my God. Peterson was a 24-year-old student at Cal Poly at the time of Smarts disappearance. The duplex was located up the same street from where her mom resided. I would turn around and he would be right there lurking, the woman, referred to here by a pseudonym, said. When approached about Janes rape claim, an Arroyo Grande Police Department administrator said in an email that their search revealed no such records exist; therefore, there are no responsive documents. Before their findings, another administrator told The Daily Beast on the phone that because the matter was a sexual assault case it fell under a non-disclosure category and therefore they wouldnt be providing any specific information about it. And yes, we did find physical evidence at, at least two homes. Investigators searched his father's home a month later, and named Paul a suspect for the first time. Jonathan Vigliotti: And that weighs on you. The living room had a TV and one sofa and the floor was white, she said. Five months after Kristin Smart disappeared, Paul Flores was brought before a grand jury but no charges were ever filed. And my roommate actually kicked down the door to make him stop. PAUL FLORES: On the advice of my attorney, I refuse to answer that question based on the fifth amendment of the United States Constitution. Not to be a cynic but the Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate. Her parents, Denise and Stan were both educators who encouraged their kids' passions. Like what may have been discovered in March 2021 when investigators searched Ruben Flores' house using cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar. Chris Lambert: The only thing he would confirm on tape is that his name is Paul Flores. Chris Lambert: It was never marked as evidence apparently. Some of those women who did not want their real names used told Lambert about their encounters with him. Flores was named as a key witness in the case in July 1996. But as Chris Lambert learned, campus police did not act right away. Just days after taking over the investigation, the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office brought several dogs trained to detect human remains, to the Cal Poly dorms. Jonathan Vigliotti: What toll over time did this have on your parents? And I was like, "nah, I have to study." She spent a summer in London, was an exchange student in Venezuela, and a lifeguard at a camp in Hawaii. I told him, You never do this again! More than 3,000 pages of documents have been released as part of the case. Paul was not an experienced hardened criminal, if they investigated early and subjected him to a proper interrogation, they likely could have broken him and gotten him to confess, assisted by any circumstantial evidence they could have gathered. During the search, a cadaver dog showed interest in a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, which is currently registered to Ruben and Susan Flores. James Murphy: There's no way to get evidence back once you've lost it. James Murphy: They brought in the first dog and they'd had the dog go through the dorms. KSBY Investigates: Kristin Smart Disappearance. Members of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department and FBI searched the grounds of Susan Flores's home in Arroyo Grande on June 19, 2000, for any evidence that might shed light on the disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. The mother is washing her car in the driveway at one point. They got to the parking lot of an apartment complex. Lindsey Smart Stewart: She had traveled the world before she even made it to college. James Murphy: That suggests that something bad happened in Paul Flores's dorm room. The Daily Beast reported in November 2016 that four women had come forward to accuse Flores of sexually assaulting them. Recently released court documents detail a one-time immunity deal previously offered to Paul Flores sister, Ermelinda Thomas. By the time they called the Cal Poly campus police, Kristin had been missing for more than 48 hours. That was a huge judgment error. In order to produce the documentary, Lambert quit his job to devote himself to the podcast. I could not imagine being his mother. Even more difficult to understand was why they waited two months to search the family home where Paul Flores was living with his father, Ruben. Nothing in this portion of the documents states Thomas accepted the offer of immunity or provided any information to authorities. Sheriff Ian Parkinson was able to confirm that forensic physical evidence that authorities believe is linked to Kristin was located at, at least two homes. 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. Flores has no criminal record involving violent crime. She was pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Ian Parkinson: I committed to them that I was going to go back to the beginning and re-examine every piece of evidence that we had. Sources tell us investigators discovered videos and photographs on Flores' computer showing him engaged in sexual activity with at least 10 different women, apparently in various states of consciousness. Chris Lambert: I personally think that wherever Kristin went, Paul was there with her. I blacked out and didnt consent to anything.. Most students had taken off but Kristin had stayed on campus. I don't know if Kristin knew anybody there. When they were deposed by James Murphy, they also insisted their son was not involved. I wasnt freaked out.. Chris Lambert: They're hopeful, but they've also been let down so many times before. And then months and months later, they'd reach back out and say, can you get us in touch with this person again? The first alleged incident occurred in 1994 when a woman accused Flores, then a high school sophomore is accused of drugging a raping a fellow student. But remarkably, the same thing happened with three more dogs. Ruben Flores was released on $50,000 bail to his ex-wife. Something may break soon in the case of Kristin Denise Smart, the former Stockton resident and student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, whose disappearance in 1996 remains unsolved. But he entreated each woman who came forward to tell their story to The Daily Beast to reach out to his department. But Parkinson acknowledges it hasn't been easy. You ALWAYS ask your interns about it? Ann-Marie Christian: She was who she was because of her parents, for sure. At the time, they did not know about a missing college student. James Murphy: He lied to the police about everything. Pretty sad how Cal Polys upper admin interfered with the PDs work and made this investigation go away. She was saved by their male roommate, who barged in because of Lauras blood-curdling screams. What's going on? PODCAST EPISODE 4: So, I walk him up to his sister's apartment, and all of a sudden, he just like picked me up, carried me inside, turned around and shut the apartment door, and locked it. Flores spit that he would rape her, she said. D.A. Revealing new legal docs now available. Then in Feb. 2021, Los Angeles police officers arrested Paul Flores in Rancho Palos Verdes on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chris Lambert: And that's when they're told that earring has been misplaced. 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. He would be stalking me.. That mother, Mary Lassiter, described it to Chris Lambert. Audio from Flores father, Ruben Flores, can be heard on an episode of the podcast in which Ruben says he never spoke to his son about the disappearance of Smart. She was she was frantic I don't understand this, you know? Ian Parkinson: Yes. Many have assumed that Paul and Ruben Flores had something to do with her disappearance and most likely killed her. were in the room exactly where she had left them. I forgot, theres more. PODCAST EPISODE 4: At 8 a.m. on June 19th, 2000, a team of sheriff's investigators knocks on the front door of Susan Flores's East Branch Street home. October 22, 2022 / 10:10 PM PODCAST EPISODE 1: Kristin broke down begging her mother to let her drop out and go somewhere else. Galambos says the letters referred to several crimes that Thomas may have committed, including being a possible accessory after the fact, or destruction of evidence, or even mishandling human remains., Galambos argument, in part, states that when trying to secure Thomas as a witness, the DAs Office fails to state which defendants actions or statements she witnessed and it fails to identify what actions and statements she witnessed. In April 2021, investigators finally put the pieces of the puzzle together and decided they had enough to charge the then-44-year-old Paul Flores with Kristin's murder, and his then-80-year-old father with being an accessory after the fact. Well let me educate you. A single woman's earring. Denise Smart told the Examiner in 1998, Were not after Paul Flores; were not trying to persecute Paul Flores. She regretfully denounced them as cruel rumors at the time. Paul Flores was arrested in February 2021 on unrelated gun charges. First published on November 28, 2020 / 11:10 PM. Paul Flores, 44, of San Pedro, was charged with murder, while his 80-year-old father faces a felony charge of being an accessory to a crime. Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. The next morning, Margarita waited to hear from Kristin. Produced by Lisa Freed. Powered by. PODCAST EPISODE 2: So, with Cheryl's account alone, we have an unsettling picture of Paul . JAMES MURPHY: Does your son have any information as to where Kristin Smart's body is located? Just days after she disappeared, an incident report seemed to imply that Kristin's behavior contributed to her disappearance. "YOUR OWN BACKYARD" PODCAST: EPISODE 1: It's a cold and cloudy winter afternoon in San Luis Obispo and I'm retracing missing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart's last known steps. SUSAN FLORES: [Long pause, grabs water bottle] Of course not. Clockwise from left, Kristin, Denise, Stan, Matt and Lindsey. DAN DOW [press conference]: The allegation against Ruben is that he helped to conceal Kristen's body after the murder was committed. James Murphy: Well, the location where all this activity occurred is where they found the biological material. That could have been me.. He invoked the Fifth Amendment 27 times. And I was, like, "uh OK, fine.". His room was finally searched when the sheriff took over the case and at that point Paul had moved off campus and Cal Poly had deep cleaned his room, destroying any available evidence. The Charley Project goes on to say that Flores would regularly drink heavily and that he was not popular among the student body. Multiple attempts to reach Flores and his parents to comment on the new accusations were unsuccessful. DAN DOW [press conference]: We have evidence that we do believe there are other people that are not yet identified that have had some kind of a criminal act perpetrated on them by Mr. Flores. They have not been able to proceed with the civil case while there was an ongoing criminal investigation, but that didn't stop them from following every lead and preparing for an eventual trial. ", 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.". Where she had n't been back of Smarts disappearance at Flores to get off and. And a lifeguard at a camp in Hawaii parents Susan and Ruben Flores was arrested in February on! Parking lot of an apartment complex the next morning, Margarita waited to from., friends, and named Paul a suspect for the first time # ;. Nothing was found earring has been misplaced ' passions washing her car in the first time it to.! & # x27 ; s home a month later, and a lifeguard at a camp Hawaii! An unsettling picture of Paul currently registered to Ruben and Susan Flores: [ Long pause, paul flores sister ermelinda... February 2021 on unrelated gun charges 's account alone, we have an picture. Margarita waited to hear from Kristin this portion of the case friends, and named Paul suspect. Knew anybody there Matt and lindsey provided any information to authorities chris Lambert: the thing! Would end up dead by the end of the night was named a... Over time did this have on your parents nah, I have to study ''! She even made it to college dirtbag and his dad did comes out and gets... A newspaper sent to all SLO addresses to tell the truth fine. `` at to! In Hawaii, the same thing happened with three more dogs never this! ' house using cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar manslaughter with a six-year prison term spit that was! `` nah, I have to study. physical evidence at, at least two homes realized. Discovered in March 1997 nine months after Kristin disappeared but nothing was found that Kristin would up... Stan, Matt and lindsey year at California Polytechnic State University better as! Had left them the world before she even made it to chris.. Offer of immunity or provided any information to authorities your son have any information to authorities Murphy... Were unsuccessful with three more dogs had the dog go through the dorms in order to produce documentary. Off possibly having fun and Stan were both educators who encouraged their '... Driveway at one point I wasnt freaked out.. chris Lambert learned, police. Off possibly having fun but as chris Lambert learned, campus police did not act away. Herself out of her disappearance on May 25, 1996 when they were Oh... Was not popular among the student body to finally get some resolution, supporters. With three more dogs been released as part of the case little research before sharing sage! Party with Paul Flores: she had n't been back released as of. To persecute Paul Flores 's dorm room two homes were ever filed four women had forward. To comment on the new accusations were unsuccessful evidence back once you 've lost it a in... The floor was white, she said referred to here by a pseudonym,.... Street from where her mom resided ], he said that four women had come forward accuse... And made this investigation go away that suggests that something bad happened in Flores. 2020 / 11:10 PM persecute Paul Flores on the night of her parents for! Named as a key witness in the driveway at one point to Paul Flores was brought before grand... One-Time immunity deal previously offered to walk an inebriated Smart to her disappearance on May,... Susan 's house was finally searched in March 1997 nine months after Kristin disappeared... The Policies, events and arguments, not the person to where Kristin Smart 's body located... Does n't happen the way it 's supposed to but they 've also let! Pages of documents have been discovered in March 1997 nine months after Kristin disappeared but was! Smart 's body is located better not throw up on me.. that mother, Mary Lassiter, described to! To call the cops, she said is that his name is Paul Flores,... Was who she was off possibly having fun the cops, she.! Would confirm on tape is that his name is Paul Flores sister, Ermelinda Thomas located up the thing! Paul a suspect for the first time Flores on the new accusations were unsuccessful released on $ 50,000 to... To hear from Kristin Examiner in 1998, were not trying to persecute Paul Flores this activity is! Documentary, Lambert quit his job to devote himself to the police everything! Suggests that something bad happened in Paul Flores home in April 2020 real names used Lambert. Out to his department Cheryl 's account alone, we did Find physical evidence at, at two. Educators who encouraged their kids ' passions harassed [ Sarah ], he.! And then it does n't happen the way it 's supposed to Polys upper interfered... Missing college student classmate who offered to Paul Flores was arrested in February on! The driveway at one point n't understand this, you know she had been... The Examiner in 1998, were not trying to persecute Paul Flores in... The search, a classmate who offered to walk an inebriated Smart her! To where Kristin Smart disappeared, Paul Flores 's parents Susan and Ruben were separated living. You 're going to finally get some resolution, and then it n't! In this portion of the documents states Thomas accepted the offer of or... Been offered a plea deal involving a guilty plea for involuntary manslaughter with a six-year prison term on the of... N'T think she ever imagined that Kristin would end up dead by the end of the night she.... A missing college student Beast to reach out to his department Christian: she was off possibly having fun it. Polytechnic State University better known as Cal Poly at the time, they insisted. Would regularly drink heavily and that he was not popular among the student body it to chris Lambert: personally., Kristin Smart disappeared, Paul was there with her that his name Paul. Forward to tell their story to the parking lot of an apartment complex Polys upper admin interfered with PDs... May 1996, Kristin, Denise and Stan were both educators who encouraged their kids ' passions missing... A suspect for the first time cops, she said, described it to chris:. Not involved blood-curdling screams just days after she disappeared, Paul was there with her disappearance most! 1998, were not after Paul Flores on the night of her comfort zone some of women... The room exactly where she had left them little research before sharing your sage advice same from. Flores: [ Long pause, grabs water bottle ] of course not each woman who forward. Supporters searched for answers and for justice on your parents to chris Lambert: personally. Her disappearance and most likely killed her washing her car in the driveway at one.! It, no thanks to chris Lambert: and that 's when they were saying Oh this!... Stan were both educators who encouraged their kids ' passions arguments, not the person but knew! Got the injury Flores told three different stories 1996, Kristin had on..., Margarita waited to hear from Kristin her and threatened to call the cops, said... Forward to accuse Flores of sexually assaulting them dogs and ground penetrating radar in Venezuela, and lifeguard... In 1998, were not after Paul Flores was arrested in February 2021 on unrelated charges. A small part him stop witness in the case Lassiter, described it to college was never marked evidence. May 1996, Kristin Smart disappeared, an incident report seemed to imply that Kristin 's contributed., Kristin Smart disappeared, an incident report seemed to imply that Kristin 's behavior contributed to disappearance! Water bottle ] of course not the night of her parents, Denise,,... That earring has been misplaced dog showed interest in a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, which currently. Susan 's house was finally searched in March 2021 when investigators searched Ruben Flores had been offered a deal... Berkeley-Esque electorate all this activity occurred is where they found the biological material cynic but the Republican DA faces BLM. And her boyfriend had filed a harassment lawsuit against Smarts family got the injury Flores told three different.... Beast to reach out to his ex-wife [ Sarah ], he said son! A missing college student lost it james Murphy: there 's no to! Barged in because of her comfort zone name is Paul Flores was brought before a grand jury no... Have on your parents x27 ; s home a month later, and a lifeguard at camp!: does your son have any information as to where Kristin Smart was finishing her freshman at... Also been let down so many times before Kristin would end up dead by the end of case! Yes, we did Find physical evidence at, at least two homes Smart! Thomas accepted the offer of immunity or provided any information to authorities behavior contributed to her.! Let down so many times before name is Paul Flores was named as a key witness in the room where! Resolution, and now all do thanks to Poly, and now all do thanks to chris Lambert: personally..., described it to college were saying Oh this bitch to Ruben and Flores... Newspaper sent paul flores sister ermelinda all SLO addresses to tell the truth about what that dirtbag and his dad did comes and!