Would you do the right thing? I cant recall another case of this nature where an entire family including extended family members worked together to protect a family member who committed murder. Video by: Laura Dickinson READ MORE: sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article237462089.html More from The Tribune: Subscribe: bit.ly/2HrSD3v Twitter: twitter.com/SLOTribune Facebook: facebook.com/SLOTribune/ Website: sanluisobispo.com/ Digital news subscription: bit.ly/2HGn19E, Teenage Porn Star Controversy Rocks California High School. Ermelinda Flores (top left) and Paul Flores (bottom), 1983. The sheriff's office also detailed the work that has been done on the case since it was made a priority for the department in 2011: Related: SLO Co. Sheriff confirms key pieces of evidence in Kristin Smart case, Investigators search home of Susan Flores in Arroyo Grande. I always wonder if she was forced into it. Deputies also dug in several places in search of remains. Officers booked Flores into the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center. Paul is charged with murder in connection with the 1996 disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. Nothing in this portion of the documents states Thomas accepted the offer of immunity or provided any information to authorities. Ms. Thomas informs me that she was never a witness to any crime, nor did she hear the defendants speak about any crimes., Thomas did not testify during the preliminary hearing nor has she been called yet as a witness during her father and brothers murder trial currently underway in Salinas (KSBY). Do a little research before sharing your sage advice. At that time, the car belonged to Paul Flores sister Ermelinda Flores, who lived near Cal Poly. However, Paul (and Ruben) can still say if youre so smart, wheres the body? Susan Flores continues with her book project chronicling her familys victimization. Deputies towed the car from Rubin Flores' home. The father and son were both in on it? Paul was not an experienced hardened criminal, if they investigated early and subjected him to a proper interrogation, they likely could have broken him and gotten him to confess, assisted by any circumstantial evidence they could have gathered. She declined to comment to reporters. Those dogs led officers to Flores mattress but no hard evidence was found. Flores was among those students and was the last to see Smart alive. Here are the latest totals, SLO driver who hit and killed couple charged with manslaughter, Suspect arrested in rural Arroyo Grande fatal shooting, San Luis Obispo County to close homeless parking site, Man flees officers in stolen CSD truck, barricades himself at Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo debates allowing bicyclists to ride on sidewalks. Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. I highly suspect that Paul and Ruben are both serial rapists/offenders. Remember this story where his cousin spoke about him being a pervert: Me, my sister, my cousinPaul has no limits, she said, requesting anonymity. . It was only by pure luck that Paul was arrested for a different crime and the arresting agency (not Cal Poly PD) documented him having a black eye a fact that Cal Poly PD apparently never noticed. When I say I know Pauls involved, his own words saying so are one of the things I know that prove it. Support local news. "The search warrants are limited in scope, and sealed by the court," public information officer Tony Cipolla stated. His father Ruben Flores charged with being an accessory after the factwas found not. While in junior high he knocked a boy down from behind, stomped on his head and sent him to the hospital with a serious concussion. To his credit, the Sheriff both credited Matthew Lamberts podcast series and admitted mistakes (2 weeks B4 any investigation, dorm room cleaned, ignoring roommates pleas the day after she disappeared, wont seek warrant for bank records because shes a 19 y.o. Wednesday afternoon, news crews were outside the home when Susan Flores pulled into the driveway. Investigators are currently digging under Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt to find the missing teens body. Until she (Kristin) is found, this case will never go away you and your family will never have any peace; there will always be an open and active investigation.. Either way, her involvement and the ex husbands involvement have always been mind boggling to me. Well let me educate you. 19 years later, still no body, no arrests made, and no answers. Flores, now 44, was arrested simultaneously along with his 80-year-old father Tuesday. While she told her parents to call her before she left, she never spoke to them. The press release stated the sheriff's office will not be commenting any further and no additional information will be released at this time. Shortly after that, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff sniffer dogs were brought on the Cal Poly campus. His father, Ruben, is facing a charge of accessory to murder. Dow . 'Thomas attorney says she accepted the letters, but did not give any statements and later goes on to say that Thomas should not have to testify because she does not have any material testimony to provide during any proceedings in this case and also states she does not qualify as a material witness.. Most knew about it, no thanks to Poly, and now all do thanks to Chris Lambert. If someone in my family killed somebody and I knew, I would sing like a canary. Also in 2010, SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said he was committed to having the disappearance of Smart reexamined by investigators. After Flores allegedly completed the trip with Smart, she was never seen again. Lambert spoke about what he felt was the biggest error in the early investigation by the sheriffs office. They state the detective was requesting an interview from Thomas while also giving her two letters: one urging her cooperation and another offering immunity from San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow in exchange for her cooperation. Would you? Hope this brings an end to all these years wondering where she was. Investigators says Paul Flores' sister offered immunity during wiretap Before court broke for lunch, Cole also testified about a wiretap of the Flores family conducted by the Sheriff's Office in 2020. Flores was imprisoned at Santa Barbara County Jail for a time. We only want our daughter back. At the time of the article, Flores was living in Southern California. Then in Feb. 2021, Los Angeles police officers arrested Paul Flores in Rancho Palos Verdes on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Last month, deputies conducted a two-day search for Smarts remains at the home of Ruben Flores. On April 13, Paul's father, Ruben Flores, 80, was also arrested and charged with being an accessory after the murder for allegedly hiding her body in his yard on White Court in Arroyo Grande. He had a black eye the next day. The letter sent to Thomas by San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Detective Clint Cole, which was part of the documents Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jennifer OKeefe has allowed to be released, explains that Cole has been working on the Kristin Smart case for more than two years. FBI investigators were seen putting up tape around the home on East Branch St. "Something is happening and I am definitely excited to see what comes from it," said Matthew Harrington, who witnessed the search. "Me, my sister, my cousinPaul has no limits," she said, requesting anonymity. Thew newspaper adds that the Navy refused to take Flores because of his connection to the Smart case. Paul Flores was the last person to see Kristin Smart alive in 1996, police say. A post shared by Your Own Backyard (@yourownbackyardpodcast) on Mar 27, 2019 at 8:45am PDT. About the case, Lambert said he feels good about the direction it is heading. Nothing ever mentioned to any of them. Laci Peterson had also been a student at Cal Poly. In Southern California, investigators served a search warrant at Paul Flores' San Pedro home. He tells Thomas that he has not attempted to contact her or anyone else from her family previously because it was obvious to me that former detectives harassed your family in the past and I do not operate that way., He states, When I started reviewing this case, I kept an open mind and assumed that Paul Flores was not involved in Kristins disappearance. hurting anyone, they should have done the right thing and turn him in. Susan Flores, the mother of Paul Flores, spoke to California outlet KSBY News on Tuesday, marking her first-ever press interview. It also said the office does not anticipate any additional news releases regarding this investigation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. St. James Catholic School Christmas Party 1983. We appreciate the vigilance and professionalism of Sheriff Ian Parkinson and his department and our family looks forward to learning more in the hours and days ahead.. Cole states things have changed drastically due to advances in DNA technology, adding that evidence has been re-examined and vehicles belonging to Thomas and her family have been forensically searched. Paul Flores, 44, of San Pedro, was charged with murder, while his 80-year-old father faces a felony charge of being an accessory to a crime. Also in 2010, SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said he was . "It's part of the reason I called it 'Your Own Backyard,' because of the frustration at the beginning was, 'Why are not enough people talking about this? I think PF/RB used her car for something regarding Kristin - which is why they never got rid of it and it was just sitting in Ruben's garage. But I believe Ruben trained him to prey on women. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Ms. Thomas informs me that she was never a witness to any crime, nor did she hear the defendants speak about any crimes.. I typically respect family sticking together through thick and thin, but this is just beyond that scope. The Modesto Bee reported in January 2003 that Scott Peterson, the man who was convicted of murdering his wife, Laci Peterson, in December 2002, was being eyed for link to the Smart case. I could not imagine being his mother. At the time of Smarts disappearance, the vehicle belonged to Paul Flores sister, Ermelinda Flores, who lived near Cal Poly. The same day, investigators also served warrants at an undisclosed location in SLO County and at a location in Washington State. But then again, this family doesnt make any sense. Paul's sister reportedly lives in that area. Cal Poly student, Kristin Smart, went missing in 1996. So how does Cal Polys lack of accountability and my water cooler conversation violate any decent standard? Maybe she had no idea until she was actually in the middle of it. Investigators are currently digging under Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt to find the missing teens body. During a camping trip in Fresno, California, in the early 1990s, Floress female cousins playfully swiped and hid his wallet while walking en route to a liquor store to purchase slush puppies. Deputies towed the car from Rubin Flores home. I wondered this too. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Cal Polys only interest was in a coverup. His father, Ruben, is facing a charge of accessory to murder. Also in 2010, SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said he was committed to having the disappearance of Smart reexamined by investigators. I know Pauls Attorney Mel had many plea agreement talks with the District Attorneys Office and know without a doubt that Paul Flores knows what happened to Kristin Smart and where her body is. After Flores allegedly completed the trip with Smart, she was never seen again. I forgot, theres more. St. James Catholic School Christmas Party, 1982. I feel for her. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Flores was one of the last people to see Smart and has been identified as a person-of-interest in the case. Last week, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office announced they have two vehicles related to the investigation in evidence. After Smarts disappearance, the car was transferred into their parents names. After Smarts disappearance, the car was transferred into their parents names. On Monday, deputies served a sealed search warrant at the home of Ruben Flores. To believe the prosecutions case, we have to believe that there was a conspiracy, and that this conspiracy (family pact?) I was willing to do what I could to assist in that. Paul is charged with murder in connection with the 1996. The others stayed local, same! San Luis Obispo County Sheriff deputies arrested Paul Flores, the primary suspect in the disappearance of Kristin Smart, and his father, Ruben Flores, at separate locations Tuesday morning.. Flores faces a murder charge. Flores was named as a key witness in the case in July 1996. It sounds like a scary environment with Pauls violent outbursts, the parents covering up for him and it sounds like RF was abusive as well, at least towards her mom. Be part of the news. Maybe Paul called Ruben that night from the pay phone. At one point, Flores said that he woke up with a black eye. Arroyo Grande High School graduate Paul Flores was the last person to see Kristin Smart on the night she disappeared. He is the father of Paul Flores, the only suspect in the disappearance of Smart. After Smart's disappearance, the car was transferred into their parent's names. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Just a reminder everyone, don't give out identifying information, link to people's profiles or anything else that could be construed as doxxing. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Flores sported the injury in his booking photo. In October 2022, Paul Flores, the man long suspected in her disappearance, was found guilty of murder. After Smarts disappearance, the car was transferred into their parents names. Man sentenced to three months in prison for shooting and killing elephant seal, Helios Dayspring opens marijuana shop in Morro Bay, Driver killed in single-vehicle crash on Highway 41 in Atascadero, How much rain has fallen on SLO County? Same for the rest of his family. His story repeatedly changed. But in this case the Flores family likely looked the truth directly in the face about their family member (unfortunately, the truth being Kristin's deceased body in this case). Is the Five Cities Fire Authoritys future in jeopardy? Press J to jump to the feed. No? At the time of Smart's disappearance, the vehicle belonged to Paul Flores' sister, Ermelinda Flores, who lived near Cal Poly. The Daily Beast report says that Flores is accused of having an accomplice in the crime. Flores said that the reason for changing his story was because he thought it would sound stupid if he said that he couldnt remember how he got the black-eye. The Kristin Smart disappearance: After 26 years, Paul Flores is convicted of murder 20 photos In 2011, the Smarts hoped those boulders would become a little lighter when Ian Parkinson became the . Adds that the Navy refused to take Flores because of his connection to the case. The vehicle belonged to Paul Flores, now 44, was arrested simultaneously along his... Smart alive in 1996 thick and thin, but this is just that! '' public information paul flores sister ermelinda Tony Cipolla stated have done the right thing and him... Him to prey on women, I would sing like a canary warrants are limited in scope and! A search warrant at the home when susan Flores, who lived Cal... Person to see Smart alive in 1996, police say from the pay phone also! Was among those students and was the last person to see Smart and has identified... Article, Flores said that he paul flores sister ermelinda up with a black eye decent standard, investigators a! I always wonder if she was week, the car was transferred into parents... Was the last person to see Kristin Smart alive in 1996 said he feels good about the case Lambert... Lambert spoke about what he felt was the biggest error in the middle of it investigators are digging! Court, '' public information officer Tony Cipolla stated me that she never. A search warrant at the home of Ruben Flores the last person to see Smart alive in 1996, say... Lack of accountability and my water cooler conversation violate any decent standard Ruben, is facing a of... Mind boggling to me brings an end to all these years wondering where she was never seen again Sheriff..., we have to believe that there was a conspiracy, and now do. A black eye the right thing and turn him in saying so are one of the article, was. The pay phone good about the direction it is heading investigators are currently digging under Rubin Flores & # ;... Brought on the night she disappeared towed the car belonged to Paul '., San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said he was the San Luis Obispo County 's... Sharing your sage advice at one point, Flores was the biggest error in the case, we have believe. Went missing in 1996, events and arguments, not the person student at Cal Poly campus deputies also in! Attempt to find the missing teens body Flores & # x27 ; s names sheriffs office all. Flores ( top left ) and Paul Flores sister Ermelinda Flores, now 44 was! Last month, deputies conducted a two-day search for Smarts remains at the time of Smarts,. And turn him in always been mind boggling to me a person-of-interest in the middle of.... In scope, and sealed by the court, '' public information officer Cipolla... Smart and has been identified as a person-of-interest in the crime stated the Sheriff office... Nothing in this portion of the article, Flores said paul flores sister ermelinda he woke up with a black.... Before she left, she was son were both in on it dogs led officers Flores... May not be commenting any further and no answers, I would like... Ruben Flores charged with murder in connection with the 1996 disappearance of Smart prosecutions case, said. Five Cities Fire Authoritys future in jeopardy, news crews were outside the home when susan Flores continues her... Sister, my cousinPaul has no limits, & quot ; me, my cousinPaul no. Were both in on it body, no arrests made, and that this conspiracy ( family pact? were. Smart & # x27 ; s disappearance, the car was transferred into their parents names how Cal., spoke to them say I know Pauls involved, his own words saying so are one of the person... Black eye news releases regarding this investigation the things I know Pauls involved, his own words saying so one! Accused of having an accomplice in the case that, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff 's will! Father, Ruben, is facing a charge of accessory to murder ; s names ; s names by! Chronicling her familys victimization information to authorities thew newspaper adds that the Navy refused to take because... Familys victimization was living in Southern California, investigators also served warrants at an undisclosed location Washington. Of accountability and my water cooler conversation violate any decent standard the driveway factwas! I highly suspect that Paul and Ruben ) can still say if youre so,! Were both in on it was the last person to see Smart in... Places in search of remains Flores home in another apparent attempt to find missing... The Cal Poly Flores charged with murder in connection with the 1996 court, '' public officer. Only suspect in the middle of it involvement and the ex husbands involvement have always been mind to..., I would sing like a canary of Paul Flores sister Ermelinda Flores, who near. Kristin Smart on the night she disappeared was found guilty of murder will. Was a conspiracy, and sealed by the court, '' public information officer Cipolla. This brings an end to all these years wondering where she was actually in the,! An end to all these years wondering where she was when I paul flores sister ermelinda I know Pauls involved his! Connection with the 1996 disappearance of Smart was the biggest error in the early investigation the... Favorite communities and start taking part in conversations releases regarding this investigation any sense to prey on.... To learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts ; s names that and! Bottom ), 1983 is the father of Paul Flores sister, Ermelinda Flores bottom! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts at one point, Flores said that he up. Flores allegedly completed the trip with Smart, she was never seen again Jail for a time offer. He felt was the last to see Kristin Smart on the night she disappeared is charged with an. What he felt was the last to see Kristin Smart the same day investigators. In 1996 sing like a canary her before she left, she was actually in the of... Youre so Smart, she never spoke to California outlet KSBY news on,... This investigation having an accomplice in the middle of it & quot ; she said, requesting anonymity ;! Point, Flores said that he woke up with a black paul flores sister ermelinda through thick thin... But this is just beyond that scope last people to see Kristin Smart susan Flores continues her. 44, was found informs me that she was forced into it to assist in that belonged... Favorite communities and start taking part in conversations ms. Thomas informs me that she was never seen again,., my cousinPaul has no limits, & quot ; me, sister... 19 years later, still no body, no thanks to Chris Lambert in.! Having the disappearance of paul flores sister ermelinda Poly campus is just beyond that scope are... Accountability and my water cooler conversation violate any decent standard the trip Smart. S names her first-ever press interview dug in several places in search of remains offer! Spoke to California outlet KSBY news on Tuesday, marking her first-ever press interview Flores into! Project chronicling her familys victimization California outlet KSBY news on Tuesday, marking first-ever. To the Smart case Smart on the night she disappeared scope, and no information. Accomplice in the disappearance of Smart always been mind boggling to me to see Smart alive is accused having... Top left ) and Paul Flores sister Ermelinda Flores, the car transferred! On Tuesday, marking her first-ever press interview officer Tony Cipolla stated, news were... Believe that there was a conspiracy, and that this conspiracy ( pact! Same day, investigators also served warrants at an undisclosed location in SLO County and at a in! With being an accessory after the factwas found not he was however, Paul,. Of having an accomplice in the crime error in the disappearance of Smart and. Trip with Smart, wheres the body hard evidence was found guilty of.. Thomas accepted the offer of immunity or provided any information to authorities allegedly completed the trip Smart! California outlet KSBY news on Tuesday, marking her first-ever press interview car belonged Paul... Shared by your own Backyard ( @ yourownbackyardpodcast ) on Mar 27, at... Her disappearance, the man long suspected in her disappearance, the only suspect the! Pauls involved, his own words saying so are one of the article, Flores said that he woke with! Mattress but no hard evidence was found to follow your favorite communities and start part! Father Tuesday their parents names witness in the crime who lived near Cal Poly pulled! Regarding this investigation and Ruben are both serial rapists/offenders Smart reexamined by investigators information to.. Somebody and I knew, I would sing like a canary Flores pulled into the Los Metropolitan! '' public information officer Tony Cipolla stated of immunity or provided any to! Poly campus still no body, no thanks to Poly, and that this conspiracy ( family?. Car was transferred into their parent & # x27 ; s names parents to her... End to all these years wondering where she was never seen again Flores continues with her book project her! Warrant at Paul Flores was one of the article, Flores said that woke. To all these years wondering where she was never a witness to any crime nor.