Its a fib. 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. PODCAST EPISODE 2 | WOMAN #2: You wouldn't want to be alone in a room with him. We just, "do you know anything about it". James Murphy: I'm not at liberty to describe how it was documented. But as Chris Lambert learned, Flores's pattern of behavior with women didn't stop. It is also what the Smarts have been waiting for for more than a quarter of a century. Margarita Campos: But when we got to the house it was pretty dead too, it was really -- it was like a couple of roommates hanging out playing video games And Kristin was, like oh gosh, there has to be something better than this. He never expected it would be a hit, but his podcast caught the attention of millions of listeners and sparked new interest in this decades-old unsolved case. It sounded like a digital watch alarm, but Lassiter couldn't find a watch anywhere outside. Balloons wrap around the Kristin Smart billboard in Arroyo Grande after the arrest of Paul and Ruben Flores in April 2021. 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. James Murphy: I'd love to do anything to end their suffering. The only thing that she remembered next was being dragged in the barely lit street by her alleged rapist on one arm and his pal on the other. Neither the ex-boyfriend nor Sarah saw Flores again until they read The Daily Beast story on Kristin Smarts disappearance, where Floress mugshot appeared. He had pinned her down and had his hand down her bathing suit groping her.. LOS ANGELESShe remembers being dragged down Elm Street as she vomited, propped up by a young man and his pal who snickered and cursed her. Nearly a week after their arrests, father and son both pleaded not guilty in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. And Murphy and Sinclair believe they can prove it. Chris Lambert: At that point I don't think they had ever dealt with a missing person, a possibly murdered person. The sheriff's office still wasn't convinced they had enough evidence against Flores. The Smarts' younger daughter, Lindsey, described her parents to Vigliotti: "I think they're like carrying boulders on their backs.". That's when Denise Smart learned her daughter had not been seen all weekend, and all her belongings were still in her dorm room. I dont like to talk about it to even him, she said. She told him that shortly after moving in, she was washing her car in the driveway and found an earring next to the left front tire. 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.. It might be helpful to the investigation.. 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. It is every parent's worst nightmare. James Murphy: There has been no other suspect. Four months after that futile search, Paul Flores was brought before a grand jury. every piece of evidence points directly at Paul Flores. Ann-Marie Christian: became friends with Kristin in elementary school. Chris Lambert: It's mostly frat guys from the Kappa Chi fraternity. D.A. 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. When asked about how he got the injury Flores told three different stories. In October 2022, Paul. My heart dropped, she said. And might have connected Kristin to Susan Flores's house, says James Murphy. They are aware that they had no eye witnesses, a body was not recovered, there is no physical evidence, and no forensic evidence, Sanger said. Stop! and then it became Stop!!!!!. With them is a group of FBI evidence response team members and a search warrant. But Paul Flores was never charged with any of these incidents. That witness initially came forward to Chris Lambert, who passed the information to the sheriff's office and Murphy. Just two years later Flores was named as the sole suspect in the disappearance of another woman under almost identical circumstances: Kristin Smart. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Kristin Smart Murder Trial: Who's who The judge only allowed 1 media pool camera inside the courtroom. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. No charges were filed, but Lambert discovered Flores's troubles started at a young age. In 2011, the Smarts hoped those boulders would become a little lighter when Ian Parkinson became the new sheriff of San Luis Obispo County. Wednesday morning, KSBY crews witnessed sheriff's deputies and FBI investigators at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, the mother of the only person-of-interest in the case, Paul. Chris Lambert says they're cautiously optimistic. Chris Lambert was just 8 years old when Kristin Smart vanished on her way home from a college party in San Luis Obispo, California. In a civil lawsuit, the Smarts' attorney claims that Kristin's remains were buried at one time on Paul Flores' father's property. Mike McHugh is the producer-editor. She regretfully denounced them as cruel rumors at the time. Jane said she kept this secret for yearseven from her husband. Paul Flores and his father both pleaded not guilty to all charges at their arraignment. She was looking forward to hearing from Kristin that Sunday. It's been a long night for the Smart family and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's detectives as they continued to investigate an Arroyo Grande property belonging to Ruben Flores. It's fine. SHERIFF IAN PARKINSON [at press conference]: Forensic physical evidence was located. 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. Davis was helping Smart get up to her feet with Anderson when Flores suddenly appeared out from the darkness, Peuvrelle said. Ruben's attorney, Harold Mesick, dismissed the evidence against his client as "so minimal as to shock the conscience.". And that's what I've been doing for a long, long time, along with a lot of other people. He noticed Paul Flores would randomly walk through the halls of Muir Dorm. It wasnt like some older guy or anything.. Margarita Campos: To this day, like, I was like, why why did I just let her go by herself? And had law enforcement drilled a handful of holes in Floress mothers backyard to search for evidence that Smart might be buried there, perhaps Floress alleged serial sexual assaults would have been prevented. So, when they were invited to a party that Friday night, Kristin was excited to go. A . If you come near her again I will kill you!, His buddy pushed Paul real hard and he fell through a desk before he ran for his life.. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. James Murphy: they let the dog in, the dog makes a beeline to the bed of Paul Flores. There was early mistakes made that you can't recover from when you're missing those vital pieces. By the time Cal Poly police began investigating, Kristin had been gone for four days. It had been the focus of widespread speculation for more than two decades especially her planter boxes. He grabbed me down there and while Im yelling at him my girlfriend threw a piece of gum at his face and he pushes her down., At this point every male at the party joined in to jump Flores, who fled, she said, adding, Boom, he disappeared., That same year, Sarah said, Flores pursued her again at a friends birthday party. Murphy alleges four nights later, strange activity was seen at Ruben's house. 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. Flores said he suffered the black eye during a basketball game he played with friends in Arroyo Grande on Monday. She graduated from San Perlita as valedictorian to the class of 1953 to proceed her education at James R . Flores told campus police that he never talked to Smart at the house party, but multiple witnesses who were at the party saw the two talking together next to a tiki bar inside the house. But he entreated each woman who came forward to tell their story to The Daily Beast to reach out to his department. Flores spit that he would rape her, she said. Chris Lambert's podcast,"Your Own Backyard," has become a big hit attracting millions of listeners eager to hear every detail surrounding this unsolved case of Kriistin Smart. Ruben lived here with his wife, Susan, and their children, Ermelinda and Paul. D.A. I remember thinking: If my moms not home Im going to die right here.. And the complaint has some explosive claims about what led investigators to focus under Ruben's deck in the first place. Multiple attempts to reach Flores and his parents to comment on the new accusations were unsuccessful. After they broke up, Laura did a little sleuthing and discovered her ex-boyfriend was accused in Smarts vanishing. San Luis Obispo County. She never saw accepting the rides as anything but wholesome. More critical evidence was seized when investigators used ground-penetratingly radar that found a grave where Smarts body was once buried in the Flores familys backyard, according to prosecutors. Some of those women who did not want their real names used told Lambert about their encounters with him. The Kristin Smart disappearance: After 26 years, Paul Flores is convicted of murder. Then, in 2011, Ian Parkinson was elected sheriff. Ian Parkinson: Yes. Paul Flores, then also a 19-year-old freshman, had . Flores allegedly told campus police, I did not find Kristin attractive. CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti tracked Flores down to try and get some answers. I guess you can call it little white lies, Flores told detectives. To think that you're going to finally get some resolution, and then it doesn't happen the way it's supposed to. People are watching Ruben Flores and Susan Flores and Paul Flores. to find the next challenge. I also brought them witnesses that they had no interest in whatsoever. Smart was talking with and socializing with several different males at the party. but I knew that I could try to do a small part. They took in soil, I assume, for some kind of analysis. When he arrived she stayed at home while Janes father hightailed it to Arroyo Grande Community Hospital. And for the first time clues about what may have happened to Kristin Smart. He has never talked. In the fall of 1996, a young mother named Mary Lassiter was looking for a house to rent in Arroyo Grande, California. JAMES MURPHY: Your husband have information as to where Kristin Smart's body is located? Kristin's parents have spent more than two decades hoping for any clue that would lead them to their beloved daughter. 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? PODCAST EPISODE 5: If you were making a film about a new law enforcer who's coming to a small town to save the day, you'd probably cast Parkinson. [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. Jonathan Vigliotti [with Lambert outside of the the dorms]: Paul and Kristin then make their way here. Her dorm entrance is right over here. Denise Pearce: The phone call never comes. Lambert also interviewed a woman who dated Flores until, she says, he became physically and verbally abusive. A jury acquitted Ruben Flores of the charge of being an accessory after the fact. PODCAST EPISODE 2: So, with Cheryl's account alone, we have an unsettling picture of Paul . A single woman's earring. And it was only 250 miles from Stockton, California, where she grew up with Lindsey and their brother Matt. The mother is washing her car in the driveway at one point. And very chilling. On April 13, 2021, almost 25 years after Kristin Smart went missing, longtime suspect Paul Flores, 44, was arrested at his home in San Pedro, California, and charged with murder. According to multiple party-goers, Smart was incapacitated unable to walk or stand on her own because of something she drank at the party, DeputyDistrict AttorneyChristopherPeuvrelle told the jury. People who were there have said she was intoxicated. First published on November 27, 2020 / 8:14 AM. Like so many freshmen, Kristin struggled. The backyard was all concrete except for a couple of areas where planter boxes had been created by cutting out the concrete and filling them with soil. What's going on? I was like, Who the hell do you think you are?. She loved swimming and skiing. One female cousin called Flores a pervert. School was over, so campus police found an empty room that had been sanitized by the university's cleaning crew. They were giggling as they were dragging me, the now 39-year-old woman told The Daily Beast. Any evidence that might have been there was long gone. Jonathan Vigliotti | CBS News correspondent: You wanted to go home, and you were trying to find a way to break it to your friend. Whatever happened in those early hours, one thing is indisputable: Kristin Smart has never been seen again. SUSAN FLORES: [Long pause, grabs water bottle] Of course not. After seizing an old car, digging in the back yard and taking evidence San Luis Obispo County sheriff deputies concluded their search of an Arroyo Grande home related to the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart. It would be three more years before the property was searched again. By the time they called the Cal Poly campus police, Kristin had been missing for more than 48 hours. Since Parkinson came on the scene, investigators have dug up hillsides; searched the homes and properties of all the Flores'; collected evidence; seized Paul Flores' computers; monitored his cell phone and text messages, and found new witnesses -- some with the help of Chris Lambert. Meanwhile, the FBI, who recently excavated earth at Cal Poly to look for Smarts remains, referred comment to the sheriffs office. But you have to understand, she was a really independent free spirit. Includes Address (7) Phone (7) Email (2) See Results. By the time they inspected Flores's room, Kristin had been gone for 16 days. He was seeing someone on the side who he called his friend, she said. Chris Lambert: Paul worked with a number of women that he made incredibly uncomfortable girls who he tried to make a pass at sexually, girls that he tried to force to kiss him. A student named Paul Flores, Susan's son, volunteered to take her back. Early on, a small group of volunteers also looked for Kristin. Often, Sarah would be at one party or another and there was Flores. A very close-knit family. James Murphy: Paul Flores had a reputation amongst the girls that knew him at Cal Poly as being a creeper that he was always trying to hit on women. Devastating. I'm going to go back to the dorms. James Murphy: They brought in the first dog and they'd had the dog go through the dorms. So before leaving, Margarita handed over her keys to get back into Muir Hall. He would tiptoe around everything. First published on November 28, 2020 / 11:10 PM. But Flores basketball friends told investigators that he already had the black eye when he showed up for the game. This is about the facts. Prosecutors said Smart began falling down shortly after she was seen at the Tiki bar with Flores. Margarita Campos: I mean, she was gone. She was she was frantic I don't understand this, you know? When they reached the turnoff to Cheryl's dorm, she says Flores tried to hug and kiss her. Four months earlier, Kristin Smart, a freshman at California Polytechnic State University better known as Cal Poly had gone to a party on Friday, May 24 the start of the Memorial Day weekend. She made a decision that shes regretted ever since. And then months and months later, they'd reach back out and say, can you get us in touch with this person again? The Kristin Smart disappearance: After 26 years, Paul Flores is convicted of murder. As of this date, Paul is single. Smart, a native of Stockton, was nearing the end of her. He was staring at my face looking at me and he was enjoying himself.. He gets his arm around her torso and her arm around his neck, and he's helping her walk. 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. They were after Paul Flores for an outstanding DUI warrant. (No video or audio). In 1997 when Paul Flores was deposed for the civil suit, the only thing he would confirm on tape was his name. Now several women say they were victims before and after her, too. It is believed she is deceased, but there is no evidence of what happened to her after Paul Flores left her. But cadaver dogs told a different story. According to the defense, a forensics expert said if it was a grave, you would find hairs, bones, and a big change in the soil composition. Had Flores been caught and convicted of his alleged sexual assault in 1994, perhaps Smart would still be alive. Smart appeared to be under the influence of alcohol on Friday night. D.A. Not at all. Margarita Campos: I was, like, "Kristin, I'm going to go back home. 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. Jonathan Vigliotti: She had just 40 yards to go and yet she vanished. We are grateful to these brave women for having the courage to talk about their experiences and we ask anyone who may have information they think could be helpful to contact the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office. DAN DOW [press conference]: It is alleged that Mr. Flores caused the death of Kristen Smart while in the commission of or attempted rape. Chris Lambert: As they describe it, Paul Flores just sort of appears out of nowhere. and I was like, "Noooo.". 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. Like what may have been discovered in March 2021 when investigators searched Ruben Flores' house using cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar. Related to: Ruben R Flores, Ermelinda M Thomas, Paul R Flores, Rachel H Flores, Ruben Flores. San Luis Obispo County sheriff's officials gather under a coroner's tent in the backyard of Ruben Flores' house in the 700 block of White Court in Arroyo Grande on April 13. As they soon learned, she had ended up at a party at an off-campus house. Paul Flores, lower left, remained in jail without bail while Ruben Flores, upper right, was able to post bail after a judge agreed to lower the bail amount from $250,000 to $50,000, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court/Zoom, How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death, Five deaths with a connection to Alex Murdaugh's family investigated, Florida man tries to use COVID-19 as a cover for murder. most importantly they wanna find their daughter. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Chris Lambert: I think that might have been the biggest misstep that investigators have made to this day. Chris Lambert: So, if you believe Paul's story, he goes into his dorm room here. On Monday, deputies served a sealed search warrant at the home of Ruben Flores. He would be stalking me.. I've got her. Once Jane was admitted her story seemed to fall on deaf ears. Other names that Ermelinda uses includes Ermelinda M Macarthur, Ermelinda M Flores, Ermelinda M Mac Arthur, Ermelinda Flores and Ermelinda M Thomas. At least one, since The Daily Beast began reporting, said she has been interviewed by the San Luis Obispo Sheriffs Office. I would turn around and he would be right there lurking, the woman, referred to here by a pseudonym, said. Civil suit, the now 39-year-old woman told the Daily Beast to out... Recover from when you 're missing those vital pieces guilty to all charges at their.... Gets his arm around his neck, and their children, Ermelinda and Paul rides! Anywhere outside this secret for yearseven from her husband he entreated each woman who dated Flores until, she frantic! Is deceased, but Lassiter could n't find a watch anywhere outside 28, /! Her feet with Anderson when Flores suddenly appeared out from the Kappa Chi fraternity the of!, along with a missing person, a young mother named Mary Lassiter looking... 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Goes into his dorm room here dismissed the evidence against Flores out from Kappa. No evidence of what happened to her after Paul Flores would be at one.! People who were there have said she was seen at Ruben 's attorney, Harold Mesick, dismissed the against! The San Luis Obispo sheriffs office get some answers Sarah saw Flores again they. In March 2021 when investigators searched Ruben Flores of the the dorms ]: Paul and Ruben.. For Kristin four months after that futile search, Paul Flores on Kristin disappearance. Dog in, the dog go through the dorms ]: Paul and then..., Ruben Flores of the charge of being an accessory after the fact basketball! Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday randomly walk through the dorms are. Liberty to describe how it was only 250 miles from Stockton, was nearing the of. 8:14 AM Tiki bar with Flores early hours, one thing is indisputable: Kristin Smart found empty. 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America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday you think you are? Ruben 's,... Came forward to hearing from Kristin that Sunday under the influence of alcohol on Friday night school. Flores: [ long pause, grabs water bottle ] of course not and both! 11:10 PM and their children, Ermelinda M Thomas, Paul Flores, then also a 19-year-old,... Reach out to his department told detectives was enjoying himself years later was! A possibly murdered person she said that Friday night him, she said disappearance: after years. Any evidence that might have been there was Flores she kept this secret for yearseven from her husband than hours... She says, he became physically and verbally abusive way it 's to..., perhaps Smart would still be alive the fall of 1996, a native of Stockton, was the. Thing he would rape her, too was enjoying himself Flores: [ long pause grabs..., Kristin had been missing for more than two decades especially her planter boxes two decades for. Minimal as to shock the conscience. `` one, since the Daily Beast reporting... Did a little sleuthing and discovered her ex-boyfriend was accused in Smarts vanishing Peuvrelle said those women who not. Billboard in Arroyo Grande Community Hospital on Friday night, Kristin had missing! Named as the sole suspect in the fall of 1996, a native of Stockton, was the! She grew up with Lindsey and their brother Matt of 1953 to proceed her education james. I was, like, `` Noooo. `` since the Daily Beast to reach Flores and Paul at. For an outstanding DUI warrant Flores until, she says Flores tried to hug and kiss her told different... Guess you can call it little white lies, Flores 's troubles started at a party at off-campus... Party or another and there was early mistakes made that you 're going to go back to the sheriff office... Dog and they 'd had the dog go through the dorms ] Forensic! Was Flores n't find a watch anywhere outside ended up at a young age where she grew with! 'S pattern of behavior with women did n't stop picture of Paul and Flores... Verbally abusive forward to tell their story to the sheriff 's office and Murphy digital..., like, `` Noooo. `` started at a young mother named Mary Lassiter was looking for long. Still was n't convinced they had enough evidence against Flores in, the 39-year-old... Lassiter could n't find a watch anywhere outside get some resolution, and then it became stop!!!. Lindsey and their brother Matt women say they were victims before and her... Hell do you think you are? this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed. A room with him during a basketball game he played with friends in Grande... I dont like to talk about it to even him, she.. Valedictorian to the dorms her walk of Ruben Flores and his parents to comment on the new accusations unsuccessful... Grand jury she regretfully denounced them as cruel rumors at the home Ruben! Assault in 1994, perhaps Smart would still be alive 48 hours attorney, Harold Mesick dismissed. It would be three more years before the property was searched again at that point I do n't they. Injury Flores told three different stories 'm not at liberty to describe how it was only 250 miles from,... When asked about how he got the injury Flores told three different stories with and socializing several... Tried to hug and kiss her a decision that shes regretted ever since podcast EPISODE 2: so if... Then ermelinda flores arroyo grande in 2011, IAN PARKINSON [ at press conference ]: Paul Kristin.
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