The Disappearance of Kristin Smart
Kristin Smart was a 19-year-old freshman at California Polytechnic State University when she vanished in May 1996, following an off-campus party. She was last seen being walked home by fellow student Paul Flores. Smart's disappearance was reported the following day; her body has never been found.
The case went cold for over two decades despite Paul Flores remaining the prime suspect from the outset. In 2018, amateur investigator and music teacher Chris Lambert began documenting his investigation in the podcast Your Own Backyard. The podcast generated renewed public attention, new witness tips, and contributed to a reinvestigation by law enforcement.
In April 2021, Paul Flores and his father Ruben Flores were arrested. Paul Flores was convicted of first-degree murder in October 2022 and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Ruben Flores was acquitted of the accessory charge. Kristin Smart's remains have not been recovered.
Podcasts covering this case
The podcast that contributed to the conviction
Listeners who want investigative true crime with real-world consequence and single-minded, passionate focus from a creator who refused to let a case die.
Read our reviewFrequently asked questions
What podcast covers the Kristin Smart case?
Your Own Backyard by Chris Lambert is the definitive podcast on the Kristin Smart case. Lambert spent years investigating the case and the podcast directly contributed to the 2022 conviction of Paul Flores.
Was Paul Flores convicted of killing Kristin Smart?
Yes. Paul Flores was convicted of first-degree murder in October 2022 and sentenced to 25 years to life in California. He was the prime suspect since Smart's 1996 disappearance.