California investigators investigating the disappearance of a college student in San Luis Obispo nearly 25 years ago have reportedly found evidence that Kristin Smart’s body was “recently” moved from under the home of the father of the man suspected of having her. murdered.
Smart went missing in May 1996 and Paul Flores, 44, was charged with first degree murder last week after allegedly attempting to rape her in his dorm room at California Polytechnic State University after an off-campus party. She was a 19-year-old freshman.
His father, Ruben Flores, 80, was accused of complicity for allegedly hiding her body. His home is about 13 miles from campus.
Investigators “ are in possession of biological evidence leading them to believe the victim was once buried under the deck of (Ruben Flores’), ” San Luis Obispo County prosecutors said in court records, adding that there was “ damning evidence is that a body was buried. at that location and then recently moved, ”said the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
The county probation report was obtained by the newspaper.
KRISTIN SMART CASE: PAUL AND RUBEN FLORES DO NOT READ GUILTY IN THE 1996 DISAPPEARANCE OF THE STUDENT
Paul Flores 44, (right), accused of murdering Kristin Smart, 19, after attempted rape in his dorm room in 1996
(FBI / San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Both men deny any involvement in her disappearance. Her body was never found.
Ruben Flores pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. Paul Flores is being held without bail.
“Dozens of women have related the assaults and predatory behavior of Paul Flores documenting his 25 years as a serial rapist,” prosecutors also said in court documents, the paper said.
Last week’s arrests followed important developments in the case in recent years, when new witnesses came forward, investigators were monitoring Paul Flores’s cell phone and text messages, and searches were conducted in separate homes where Flores, his father, mother and sister live.
Investigators used ground penetrating radar and corpse dogs during the search.
Ruben Flores’s lawyer has rejected the evidence. “The evidence is so minimal that conscience is shaken,” said attorney Harold Mesick.
Prosecutor Christopher Peuvrelle countered that investigators had found substantial new evidence since a series of searches last year that eventually led to the arrests.
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Counsel said, ‘There was very little new evidence,’ said Peuvrelle, referring to Robert Sanger, Paul Flores’s attorney. Well, then he mustn’t have read the same order I did. There is substantial new evidence. ‘
Fox News’ Frank Miles contributed to this report.