Kristin Smart: Will New Backyard Digging Finally Bring Family Closure?

If ever there was a prime example of how people can help resolve true crimes, Chris Lambert takes the cake with the Your Own Backyard podcast, because he never let go of the Kristin Smart case. New developments reveal a big step forward and a lot of the credit should go to Chris.

The Disappearance Of Kristin

Kristin Smart disappeared in 1996, and Fox News reminded true crime followers that the promising young woman attended “California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly).”

She’s never been found, but Paul Flores was found guilty of her murder and jailed in 2022. The prosecution claimed he escorted her home after a party and then he raped and killed her.

Never Fully Resolved

The case of Kristin Smart never felt fully resolved, but over the years, things happened that kept it in headlines. Ruben Flores, Paul’s dad, was arrested on suspicion of helping to dispose of the body. However, he was acquitted.

Allegedly, he and his son buried Kristin on his property, but the prosecution believed Kristin’s remains were later moved. And that’s what kickstarted the latest round of news.

New Remains Found?

A number of mainstream outlets reported on the latest development. Paul’s mom, Susan, still lives at another property, not the one where it was originally thought that Kristin Smart was hidden.

Where did the tip come from that there might be human remains there? It’s not clear, but if anyone knows anything, it might be the now famous podcaster Chris Lambert.

ABC News reported:

The search began Wednesday after authorities served a warrant Wednesday at the home in the central coast town of Arroyo Grande more than 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. Authorities have not specified what prompted the search, but scientists specializing in human decomposition and soil took samples from the ground.

Will The Family Find Closure?

Obviously, it’s not clear if Kristin Smart is the person there, or might have been placed there. But, it is a helpful breakthrough. The end results might actually help the family finally get some closure, because Flores never said where the remains are.

While the case was largely circumstantial, as no body was ever found, sufficient evidence pointed to guilt. It included the use of cadaver dogs, soil evidence at Ruben’s home, and testimony about claims of rape by other women.

Another angle that interested true crime followers was once again Chris Lambert and his Your Own Backyard podcast. KSBY reported that in 2020, a wiretapped call between Susan and her son suggested an effort to “punch holes” in the narrative being led by Chris.

No remains Found Yet

What seems very interesting is that some outlets report that human remains were found. However, @yourownbackyardpodcast claimed on Instagram that the story is incorrect. Several times in the last day, they emphasized that they were present at the place currently being checked out. But they also noted in part:

The search WILL continue tomorrow. We have digging confirmed in the backyard…The extent is unclear…Human remains have NOT BEEN RECOVERED at this time, regardless of headlines. They’re reporting that from the same press conference I attended this morning… No remains recovered yet, but soil vapor testing indicates that compounds consistent with human decomposition are present on Susan Flores’ property.

If further developments arrive, then we’ll be sure to update you on the current search for the remains of Kristin Smart. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your true crime news and updates. Plus, we have a crime channel on TikTok that you can follow.