Authorities End Search At Arroyo Grande Home Without Finding Kristin Smart
Soil testing and ground-penetrating radar suggested human remains at a property tied to convicted killer Paul Flores, but investigators completed the search without recovering Kristin Smart’s remains.
ABC NewsKristin Smart's remains not found in search of California home, authorities say
CNNIn the Kristin Smart case, key questions remain after 3 decades | CNN
The GuardianSoil testing at California house turns up evidence of human remains in Kristin Smart case
Boston GlobeEvidence points to human remains at home linked to Kristin Smart's killing, sheriff says
Overview
Authorities completed a search of Susan Flores' Arroyo Grande property and did not recover Kristin Smart's remains, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday.
The search began Wednesday after a warrant and came after soil testing and ground-penetrating radar returned indications consistent with human remains, officials said.
Sheriff Ian Parkinson said investigators used specialists in human decomposition and soil and would send any recovered evidence for evaluation, and he said the warrant remains sealed.
Paul Flores was convicted in October 2022 of killing Smart and was sentenced to 25 years to life, and Smart was declared legally dead in 2002 after her disappearance in May 1996.
Sheriff Parkinson said the investigation will continue and authorities may return to search other locations as they analyze evidence and leads, and the family said they remain committed to finding Kristin.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this reporting neutrally: they rely on factual, attributed statements (e.g., "did not find the remains," sheriff’s office statement of commitment), include chronological facts (1996 disappearance, 2022 conviction) and identify contributing sources (podcaster). Language is factual, with limited evaluative wording or omitted viewpoints.