Search at Paul Flores' Mother's Home in Smart Case

San Luis Obispo County authorities served a search warrant Wednesday at a home in Arroyo Grande owned by Susan Flores, the mother of Paul Flores, who was convicted of murdering 19-year-old college student Kristin Smart nearly three decades ago, law enforcement officials said. The search, expected to continue into Thursday, is part of the ongoing investigation into Smart's 1996 disappearance, during which her remains have never been recovered.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office confirmed the activity at the property in the 500 block of East Branch Street, stating it stems from a warrant signed by a Superior Court judge. Sheriff Ian Parkinson and investigators, including experts in ground-penetrating radar and soil science, were on site Wednesday morning. "The Sheriff's Office remains committed to bringing Kristin home to her family," the office said in a statement. No further details were immediately released.

Smart vanished in May 1996 while walking back to her dormitory at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo after attending an off-campus party. Prosecutors said during Flores' trial that she was killed during an attempted assault and that he was...