Smart family grateful for Paul Flores verdict: ‘Our quest for justice for Kristin will continue’
Kristin Smart’s family has waited 26 years for justice — and on Tuesday, they got it.
A jury found Paul Flores, 45, guilty of murdering Smart while a separate jury found his father, Ruben Flores, 81, not guilty of helping his son conceal the crime.
On Tuesday evening, the Smart family gave a brief statement during a press conference by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s and Sheriff’s offices, thanking everyone who helped to keep their daughter’s memory — and case — alive.
“Without Kristin, there’s no joy or happiness in this verdict,” Smart’s father, Stan Smart, said. “After 26 years, with today’s split verdict, we learned that our quest for justice for Kristin will continue.”
Smart has been missing since Memorial Day weekend of 1996, after attending a house party off campus. As she left to return to her dorm, Paul Flores was the last person seen with her alive.
Stan Smart likened the almost three decades since Smart’s disappearance, and the ensuing years of investigation, as “an agonizingly long journey with more downs than ups.”
He said he and the rest of the Smart family were grateful to the juries for their time, and that their faith in the justice system “has been renewed by their commitment.”
During his comments, Stan Smart thanked the District Attorney’s Office, including prosecutor Christopher Peuvrelle, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and podcaster Christopher Lambert for their work helping to keep his daughter’s case alive.
Stan Smart said Lambert’s podcast, “Your Own Backyard,” brought forward new information and interest, what he called “much-needed light and attention during the darkest moments sharing Kristin’s voice and story.”
“Our family is comforted and strengthened by the knowledge that Kristin continues to be held in the hearts and memories of so many people,” Stan Smart said. “We will never be able to personally thank everyone, but please know our gratitude and love goes out to each of you who have been with us for this long, overwhelming and emotional journey. We’re forever stronger together.”
Stan Smart concluded with an emotional message to his daughter.
“Most importantly to our Kristin: Almost three decades ago, our lives were irreparably changed on the night you disappeared,” he said. “Know that your spirit lives on in each and every one of us, every day. Not a single day goes by then you aren’t missed, remembered, loved and celebrated.”
Here is the family’s statement in its entirety:
Without Kristin, there is no joy or victory with this verdict, we all know it did not have to be this way. We will never be able to hear Kristin’s engaging laughter or revel in her embrace. Her hopes and dreams will never be realized; no form of justice can bring these back. After 26 years, with today’s split verdicts, we learned that our quest for justice for Kristin will continue. We appreciate and we are beyond grateful for the diligence of both juries and our faith in the justice system has been renewed by knowing the man who took Kristin’s life will no longer be free to abuse another family or victim.
This has been an agonizingly long journey with more downs than ups, but we feel fortunate to have relied on the professional talents and commitment of Deputy District Attorney Chris Peuvrelle, District Attorney Dan Dow, Beth Raub, our victim witness advocate, and paralegal Becky Cripe, and the stellar team at the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office. We would also like to acknowledge Sheriff Ian Parkinson, Detective Clint Cole, District Attorney Investigator JT Camp, and the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office for their tireless commitment to making Kristin a priority. The steadfast efforts of this team and so many others ultimately made this day possible.
Finally, we are also thankful for the selfless contributions of Chris Lambert. His “Your Own Backyard” podcast brought not only new information but much-needed light and attention in our darkest hours by sharing Kristin’s voice and story.
Our family is comforted and strengthened by the knowledge that Kristin continues to be held in the hearts and memories of many. We will never be able to personally thank everyone, but please know our gratitude and love goes out to each of you who have been with us on this long, overwhelming, and emotional journey. We are forever stronger together.
Most importantly, to our Kristin: Almost three decades ago, our lives were irreparably changed on the night you disappeared. We hope this verdict helps deliver not just answers, but also a peace and sense of closure that have eluded us for 26 years. Know that your spirit lives on in each and every one of us, every day. Not a single day goes by where you aren’t missed, remembered, loved, and celebrated.
