The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an additional investigation tied to the disappearance of Kristin Smart, authorities said Wednesday.

In a press release, the Sheriff’s Office said the activity is taking place at a property in the 500 block of East Branch Street in Arroyo Grande.

The investigation stems from a search warrant signed by a Superior Court judge.

Officials said the work at the site is related to the Smart case, but provided no further details about the nature of the search.

“The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to bringing Kristin home to her family,” the agency said.

Authorities declined to release additional information and said no further comment would be made regarding the investigation at this time.

About the Incident

Smart, a 19-year-old college freshman, was killed in 1996 inside her dorm room by fellow California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo student Paul Flores during an attempted rape.

Paul Flores was convicted of murder in 2022 and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Ruben Flores, Paul Flores’ father, was accused of helping conceal the killing but was acquitted.

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