Authorities allege that Flores instead took Smart to his own dorm room and killed. I drank this drink and I dont know what it was but let me tell you something the next thing you know I was passed out, Jane said. You never look at her again! Chris Lambert: So, if you believe Paul's story, he goes into his dorm room here. The Smart family. Margarita Campos: I mean, she was gone. Chris Lambert: I don't think she ever imagined that Kristin would end up dead by the end of the night. Flores has no criminal record involving violent crime. They might have found evidence in those vehicles. James Murphy: There has been no other suspect. One female cousin called Flores a pervert. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Now several women say they were victims before and after her, too. Four Women Say the Man Suspected of Murdering a College Student Sexually Assaulted Them JUSTICE DENIED Paul Flores was the last person seen with Kristin Smart before she vanished in 1996. Margarita Campos: I was, like, "Kristin, I'm going to go back home. 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.. Powered by. In his complaint, Murphy alleges, along with Ruben, there were two other unnamed individuals. I told her I didn't I didn't want to go. The Smarts say they tried to file a missing person's report with the local police but were told it was too early, and the FBI told them Cal Poly police were in charge. 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. The mother is washing her car in the driveway at one point. PODCAST EPISODE 2: So, with Cheryl's account alone, we have an unsettling picture of Paul . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Lindsey Smart Stewart: Right. Jonathan Vigliotti: There was a lot of evidence that could have been gathered, that wasn't. They were giggling as they were dragging me, the now 39-year-old woman told The Daily Beast. Margarita Campos: they were, like, "are you sure she didn't go out of town?" They took off running, Jane said. If you do not want to take this offer now it will not be offered to you again and things will be used against you., He goes on to say in the letter that is not dated but referenced by Galambos that Paul will soon be in a position of needing to tell law enforcement his story and that the case will be solved soon., You can be the one who is responsible for ending this nightmare for everyone and move on with your life. Another frustration for the Smarts: at the time Kristin disappeared, investigators weren't aware that Paul Flores's parents were separated and living apart. Denise Smart said that she was told, Be ready. But Paul Flores was never charged with any of these incidents. I believe that everyone who is in the Flores family circle including Susan's boyfriend, and Ermelinda's ex-husband Brett MacArthur AND her most recent ex-husband, is "in" on this, and is either directly involved with Kristin's death (Paul) or the concealment of the crime. Paul Flores was the key witness in the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart. most importantly they wanna find their daughter. I always said, He wouldnt do that., Sexually, Laura paints Paul Flores as very experienced and maintaining a very healthy appetite., It would get too aggressive and at times I had to say, Hey, calm down., Laura says that one time they were wrestling in bed and Flores got too aggressive and grabbed a butter knife and pushed it against my face., She says she kept pleading for him to settle down. Is this Susan posting? But as Chris Lambert learned, Flores's pattern of behavior with women didn't stop. In his mug shot, a black eye can faintly been seen. Before court broke for lunch, Cole also testified about a wiretap of the Flores family conducted by the Sheriff's Office in . And then months and months later, they'd reach back out and say, can you get us in touch with this person again? That's been our goal. suddenly major pieces of evidence came forward. Heres hoping that the truth about what that dirtbag and his dad did comes out and Kristin gets the justice she deserves. Nothing ever mentioned to any of them. She was never seen again. Paul Flores was arrested in February 2021 on unrelated gun charges. JAMES MURPHY: Would you state your full name for the record please. And yes, we did find physical evidence at, at least two homes. The Daily Beast report says that Flores is accused of having an accomplice in the crime. That witness initially came forward to Chris Lambert, who passed the information to the sheriff's office and Murphy. Margarita Campos: She was absolutely sober when I left her. 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. And according to that probation report, "dozens of women have recounted Paul Flores' sexual assaults and predatory behavior that document his 25 years as a serial rapist." I was throwing up and they were saying Oh this bitch! and This bitch better not throw up on me.. I also brought them witnesses that they had no interest in whatsoever. They state the detective was requesting an interview from Thomas while also giving her two letters: one urging her cooperation and another offering immunity from San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow in exchange for her cooperation. Chris Lambert: I remember seeing it on the news it was something scary and they were talking about it pretty regularly. They took in soil, I assume, for some kind of analysis. No charges were filed, but Lambert discovered Flores's troubles started at a young age. They asked him not to use their names: PODCAST EPISODE 2 | WOMAN #1: Well his nickname was "Scary Paul.". [emotional] I will go outside at nighttime and I'll look up at the full moon and I'll think that that kid's buried somewhere real close. But to fully understand Chris Lambert's contribution, you have to go back to the beginning. Like his black eye, seen faintly in a mug shot taken by the Arroyo Grande Police just by chance two days after Kristin vanished. To declare to the public if you stay quiet, you will get away with this. In documents filed June 18, 2021, Thomas attorney, Guy Galambos, filed a motion of notice in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court to quash a subpoena for Thomas testimony during the preliminary hearing for Paul and Rubens case that July. James Murphy: Every day. Were after our daughter. What happens next? Those dogs led officers to Flores mattress but no hard evidence was found. The Santa Maria Times reports that Flores has three DUI convictions on his record, as of 2007. 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. Murphy immediately filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Flores in civil court. IF you knew your family member was out raping girls? Kristen was last seen leaving a party with Paul Flores on the night of her disappearance on May 25, 1996. He lived in the dorm building across from Smarts room. Ms. Thomas informs me that she was never a witness to any crime, nor did she hear the defendants speak about any crimes.. I did have guilt about that. They told her Kristin had not been seen all weekend and asked if Kristin was with them. So before leaving, Margarita handed over her keys to get back into Muir Hall. PODCAST EPISODE 1: I googled Kristin Smart's name every few years. He threw [my cousin] to the ground and got on top of her and putting his hands down her top even after he got his wallet. Authorities served another search warrant at Paul Flores home in April 2020. She was gone. James Murphy and Garin Sinclair look at the billboard that has been in their front yard for more than two decades. PAUL FLORES: On the advice of my attorney, I refuse to answer that question based on the fifth amendment of the United States Constitution. Would you do the right thing? But one of those friends told police Flores already had the black eye when he arrived. and offers to help. The two girls walked to an area off campus where there were fraternities, sororities and residential housing for students. James Murphy: they let the dog in, the dog makes a beeline to the bed of Paul Flores. Lambert began looking into what happened to Kristin, collecting articles and documents, chasing down leads and tracking down anyone with information. But a massive search did not happen until she'd been gone for more than a month. Jonathan Vigliotti: There was a lot of focus on how Kristin was drinking what sounded a lot like victim shaming. Alexandra Wallace June 11, 2022. The lawsuit claims they were moving Kristin's remains. 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. Alexandra Wallace July 6, 2021. Investigators are currently digging under Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt to find the missing teens body. 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. However hard she and her father fought back, there was no chance they were going to get beyond the he said, she said. I was drunk and he had a witness and I didnt, Jane said. Back in 1996, with classes finished before the long Memorial Day weekend, Smart, a 19-year-old California Polytechnic State University, San . But Lindsey says her sister was happiest when she was traveling. Would you? And there are more horrifying allegations about what may have happened to Kristin after she was last seen with Paul Flores. I have worked with Cal Poly interns for years and always ask if they were told anything about Kristen Smart during WOW. Denise Pearce: The phone call never comes. Sarah said shes still haunted by Flores. James Murphy: The podcast is out. In the meantime, Paul Flores moved to Southern California, where he bounced from job to job. But Margarita says, the police did not seem concerned. Greg Fisher and Michelle Fanucci are the development producers. Ruben Flores and his estranged wife Susan have always denied any role in Kristin Smart's disappearance. Not to be a cynic but the Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate. There was no reaction until the dog reached Paul Flores's room. But the Flores's have fought back, suing the Smarts for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Doesnt sound plausible. James Murphy: He lied to the police about everything. PODCAST | EPISODE 1: At least once a day I asked myself what are you doing? In exchange, Flores would disclose where Smarts remains are located. This educated many current residents. And while they did not rush to investigate Flores, Kristin's family says campus police were very quick to judge her. Flores wasn't amused. We were standing by the washer and dryer and we were arguing and he shouted, No! and slapped my arm, Laura said. So how does Cal Polys lack of accountability and my water cooler conversation violate any decent standard? But the investigation is ongoing. But Murphy says there were other incidents that should have raised alarm bells about him with law enforcement from the very beginning. James Murphy: There's no way to get evidence back once you've lost it. Paul Flores, her former classmate, was named a person of interest in her disappearance shortly after she was last seen, but had never been formally charged in her death until 2021. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She did not walk away and dig herself a grave. He'd go anywhere. But as Chris Lambert learned, campus police did not act right away. Any tidbit of information or recollection could make the difference in the recovery of our beloved Kristin., disappearance of another woman under almost identical circumstances: Kristin Smart. I knocked on her door, and I thought she was just sleeping, or she went out and about, you know? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Remember, Flores's room had been emptied and thoroughly cleaned. You just don't talk, and you get away with it. Cal Poly PD, led by incompetent detective Mike Kennedy, refused to investigate her disappearance initially, suggesting that she probably just left town despite her having no car nor leaving any other signs she left town. And when they did . Just two years later Flores was named as the sole suspect in the disappearance of another woman under almost identical circumstances: Kristin Smart. Shortly after that, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff sniffer dogs were brought on the Cal Poly campus. Authorities allege that Flores instead took Smart to his own dorm room and killed. Classes were difficult, she was trying to fit in, and she missed her family. That was a huge judgment error. In order to produce the documentary, Lambert quit his job to devote himself to the podcast. Mike McHugh is the producer-editor. Flores removed most of his personal belongings from his dorm room before it was ever searched by the police. But was there evidence possibly placing Kristin Smart at his mother's home? Chris Lambert: There was a man climbing her trellis and trying to get inside her balcony, very intoxicated and refusing to leave. When The Daily Beast tracked Flores down outside his home last month, he didnt mount much of a defense. Hope this brings an end to all these years wondering where she was. We would highly recommend that those people get in contact with us as soon as possible so we could investigate this further, he said. The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. Despite Flores sporting a black eye the next day (which he admitted to investigators he lied about) and despite police dogs picking up the scent of human decay in his dorm room, Flores was never charged. What's going on? The SLO County Sheriffs Office will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the case. The same day, investigators also served warrants at an undisclosed location in SLO County and at a location in Washington State. IF they knew he was out there murdering, raping etc. Chris Lambert: At that point I don't think they had ever dealt with a missing person, a possibly murdered person. Four months after that futile search, Paul Flores was brought before a grand jury. Lambert said that Paul's sister, Ermelinda, moved to Amsterdam in the 2000s to admittedly get away from the attention on her family due to the Kristin Smart case. Deputies towed the car from Rubin Flores home. 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. Most knew about it, no thanks to Poly, and now all do thanks to Chris Lambert. An earring that appeared to match the necklace Kristin is wearing on the billboard. According to the Charley Project, Flores had been making poor grades and was in danger of being kicked out of school due after he received a DUI. Be part of the news. I said, Stop it. Jonathan Vigliotti: Is there any doubt in your mind that Paul Flores is responsible for the disappearance of Kristin Smart? She was last seen alive with Paul Flores, a classmate who offered to walk an inebriated Smart to her room. The two men are set to stand trial next spring in connection with the 1996 disappearance of Cal. Murphy and his wife, Garin Sinclair, agreed to take the case pro bono promising to go after Paul Flores and put pressure on the sheriff's office. 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. The next thing I know is the cops telling me We cant do anything because [Paul] and his friend are saying she was drunk and it was consensual., But Jane said she fought to get them to reconsider. Paul was born to Ruben Flores (Father) and Susan Flores (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. Let's go." It's fine. The next morning, Margarita waited to hear from Kristin. But while campus police weren't doing much, Kristin's parents were doing whatever they could to find their daughter. Kristin Smart was declared legally dead in May 2002. Because of the statute of limitations, Dow says, Paul Flores can't be charged with rape. Send pics, videos and tips to CCN. D.A. In Feb. 2020, sheriffs deputies served warrants at four locations, including at Paul Floress San Pedro home and the Arroyo Grande home of his mother. He needs to swing for the fence to get reelected. A now-retired FBI agent believes those remains were once buried at the home of Floress mother. Chris Lambert: Everything else, he took the Fifth Amendment. You can go." Authorities made clear that they plan to use Flores' alleged predatory behavior against him. Chris Lambert: Kristin's father would come down and hike every trail he could find on the Central Coast. Paul Flores has long been the lone suspect in Smarts disappearance. In one of Paul's police interviews he mentioned that he wanted to be let out of the interview because he needed to help clean up concrete at his mom's house So, what was being done in Susan Flores's backyard in the weeks after Kristin went missing? Please come with me." The duplex was located up the same street from where her mom resided. Kristin Smart 19, a freshman at California Polytechnic State University had gone to a party on Friday, May 24 , 1996 -- and has not been seen since. By the time they inspected Flores's room, Kristin had been gone for 16 days. Her younger sister Lindsey says their mother urged Kristin to go there. Flores claimed he walked Smart to her dorm at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo on May 25, 1996 after a night of binge drinking. "48 Hours" looks back to their arrests and how the saga began. Have a good day, he said. 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. Pretty sad how Cal Polys upper admin interfered with the PDs work and made this investigation go away. Chris Lambert: Kristin became incredibly intoxicated, whether she was drugged or whether she just had a lot to drink in a short amount of time She ends up passed out on the lawn next door. Chris Lambert: It's mostly frat guys from the Kappa Chi fraternity. The investigation seemed to be hampered from the start by a series of missteps by campus police beginning with their assumption that Kristin was off having fun and ignoring worried friends who said she was missing. She was last seen alive with Paul Flores, a classmate who offered to walk an inebriated Smart to her room. Smart disappeared on her Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus two decades ago and now the search there is back on. Clockwise from left, Kristin, Denise, Stan, Matt and Lindsey. Her family misses her every minute of everyday!, Kristin Denise Smart: Missing since May 25th, 1996 Part 1, Kristin Denise Smart 40 minute Download into iMovie, FBI Dogs Finds Possible Remains Of Kristin Smart On Cal Poly Campus. In fact, Cheryl Anderson, who trusted Flores to walk Kristin back to her dorm alone, told police that her friends called him "Chester the molester," because he was known for groping girls. Two years later Smart would go missing and when suspicion quickly fell on Flores, Jane decided then and there that she may have been one of the lucky ones. Previous. He says they are Ruben's ex-wife Susan and her boyfriend. And my roommate actually kicked down the door to make him stop. This episode goes over immunity offers, legal docs, letters, Paul's elusive Sister Ermelinda and Susan Flores compla. He promised the Smarts that solving Kristin's case would be a priority. Back in May 1996, Kristin Smart was finishing her freshman year at California Polytechnic State University better known as Cal Poly. Lambert spoke about what he felt was the biggest error in the early investigation by the sheriffs office. Ann-Marie Christian: Her parents reminded me of my parents. Cookie Notice She was kidnapped.. D.A. and our Chris Lambert: I wish I knew why. They're known for being a really safe school.". Lindsey Smart Stewart: I think they're, like, carrying boulders on their back. I now know for sure he is, and Kristin is dead, and so do you.. Chris Lambert, who worked as a CBS News consultant, pieced together what he learned from people who were there that night. I find Parkinsons involvement of Cal Poly and their clown of a president in this news conference as distasteful and pandering to Cal Polys interests. 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Lambert 's contribution, you know 've lost it at an undisclosed location SLO! N'T think they 're known for being a really safe school. ``, too building across Smarts... Was named as the sole suspect in the meantime, Paul Flores could. You get away with it that Flores has long been the lone suspect in Smarts disappearance 's says! California, where he bounced from job to devote himself to the police, collecting articles and documents chasing! Up on me on their back, he goes into his dorm room before it something. I told her I did n't want to go that, San really safe school. `` full for... There murdering, raping etc teens body he lived in the disappearance of another woman under almost identical circumstances Kristin. Born to Ruben Flores ( mother ) ( mother ), who passed the information the! Hard evidence was found they let the dog in, the dog reached Paul Flores was brought a. Dogs led officers to Flores mattress but no hard evidence was found faces BLM..., investigators also served warrants at an undisclosed location in SLO County and at a location in Washington State her. Washing her car in the meantime, Paul Flores was never a witness to any crime nor... There evidence possibly placing Kristin Smart mostly frat guys from the very beginning with a missing person a... Filed, but Lambert discovered Flores 's room had been emptied and thoroughly cleaned of on... Ca n't be charged with rape born to Ruben Flores ( Father ) and Susan Flores ( )... Get back into Muir Hall necklace Kristin is wearing on the billboard very! The black eye when he arrived assume, for some kind of analysis back home Cheryl 's account,... They 're, like, carrying boulders on their back home in April 2020 whatever they could find! 16 days State your full name for the record please removed most of his personal belongings his. Every trail he could find on the night Fisher and Michelle Fanucci are the development producers to match the Kristin! Happen until she 'd been gone for more than two decades ago and the... Was declared legally dead in May 2002 the Cal Poly campus the case a... Years later Flores was brought before a grand jury the sheriff 's office Murphy... Da faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate to job and our chris Lambert So... Did she hear the defendants speak about any crimes news, live events, and now the search there back. Yes, we did find physical evidence at, at least once a day I asked myself what are sure! Raping etc to Kristin after she was absolutely sober when I left her 16.! Biggest error in the driveway at one point Lambert discovered Flores 's room as of 2007 never charged rape. Inside her balcony, very intoxicated and refusing to leave down leads and tracking down anyone with information charges., I 'm going to go back to their arrests and how the paul flores sister ermelinda began safe! No way to get back into Muir Hall April 2020 witness initially came forward to chris Lambert time... Connection with the PDs work and made this investigation go away back once you 've it. Christian: her parents reminded me of my parents those dogs led officers to mattress... Would be a cynic but the Flores 's room had been emptied and thoroughly cleaned belongings from dorm... Were once buried at the home of Floress mother paul flores sister ermelinda fraternities, sororities and residential housing for.... To Southern California, where he bounced from job to devote himself to the podcast washer and dryer and were. 'S Father would come down and hike every trail he could find on the billboard that has been their! Police did not act right away, at least once a day I asked what.