Kristin Smart's remains not found in search of California home, authorities say

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (AP) — Authorities did not find the remains of Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old college student who went missing in 1996, officials said Saturday after finishing a search of a home tied to the man convicted of killing her.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said it completed a search of Susan Flores' property in the Central Coast town of Arroyo Grande, more than 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. Paul Flores, her son, was convicted in 2022 of killing Smart, whose body has never been found.

Authorities declined to provide additional information. Authorities said this week that evidence suggested human remains were present at the home and scientists specializing in human decomposition and soil took samples from the ground.

“The Sheriff’s Office remains fully committed to finding Kristin and bringing her home to her family,” the agency said in a statement.

Smart went missing from California Polytechnic State University in May 1996. Prosecutors alleged that she was killed during an attempted rape and that the last person she was seen with was Paul Flores, a fellow student. She was declared legally dead in 2002.

Flores was convicted in October 2022 of Smart’s murder and sentenced the following year to 25 years to life.

The decades-old case has captivated the public, fueled in part by a podcaster who helped investigators by bringing forward additional witnesses. Chris Lambert of the “ Your Own Backyard ” podcast first reported the search of the home.

Scientists take samples from the soil Thursday, May 7, 2026, from the front yard of a home in Arroyo Grande, Calif., connected to the man convicted of killing Kristin Smart as part of a sheriff's investigation. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) CORRECTION: Corrects from authorities to scientists

Scientists take samples from the soil Thursday, May 7, 2026, from the neighboring yard of a home in Arroyo Grande, Calif., connected to the man convicted of killing Kristin Smart as part of a sheriff's investigation. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) CORRECTION: Corrects from authorities to scientists

Scientists take samples from the soil Thursday, May 7, 2026, from the neighboring yard of a home in Arroyo Grande, Calif., connected to the man convicted of killing Kristin Smart as part of a sheriff's investigation. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) CORRECTION: Corrects from authorities to scientists

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cubs left fielder Ian Happ extended his on-base streak to 30 games with a first-inning walk in Chicago's 6-0 loss to Texas on Saturday night, and teammates Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch also kept up their double-digit streaks.

The only longer active streak in the majors is a 33-gamer by Nick Kurtz, who had two doubles Saturday for the Athletics in a 6-2 win over Baltimore.

While the Cubs' second 10-game winning streak of the season ended, they are the only team this year to have three players at the same time with active on-base streaks of at least 10 games.

Crow-Armstrong is at 13 games after drawing a walk in the ninth inning. Busch led off the second inning with a single to reach base in his 11th consecutive game. He also walked in the third.

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Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ leads off first base after collecting a hit off Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 8, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)