“Justice for Kristin Smart”: Dateline Reports August 15 2025
On August 15, 2025, Dateline NBC aired a long-awaited special titled Justice for Kristin Smart, reported by Josh Mankiewicz. The episode marked the first time Kristin Smart’s parents spoke on national television following the sentencing of the man responsible for their daughter’s death. Their interview offers a personal reflection on a 27-year journey that began with Kristin’s disappearance in 1996 and ended with a murder conviction in 2022.
This episode revisits the timeline of events, examining not just the facts of the case, but also the emotional toll on the Smart family and the profound impact the case had on campus safety laws. Through interviews and archival footage, Dateline offers an in-depth look at one of California’s most tragic cold cases—now finally resolved in court.
Contents
The Night Kristin Disappeared
Kristin Smart was a 19-year-old freshman at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. On the night of May 24, 1996, she attended an off-campus party alone during Memorial Day weekend. Around 2 a.m., two fellow students, Cheryl Anderson and Tim Davis, found Kristin passed out on a lawn. They began walking her back to her dorm.
Paul Flores, another student from the party, joined the group. Davis left first, and then Anderson, after Flores assured her he would get Kristin back safely. Flores later told police that he left Kristin near his dorm and she walked the rest of the way alone. Kristin never made it back to her room and was never seen again.
What followed was a botched initial investigation. Campus police delayed contacting local law enforcement, operating under the assumption Kristin had taken an impromptu trip. By the time she was formally reported missing, crucial evidence had been lost.
Delayed Justice and Missed Opportunities
For years, Paul Flores remained the primary suspect, but law enforcement lacked the evidence to file charges. Investigators noted inconsistencies in Flores’ statements and physical injuries on the night Kristin disappeared. Cadaver dogs alerted to Flores’ dorm room, and later, an earring possibly belonging to Kristin was found at the home of his mother, Susan Flores. The earring was lost by police before it could be tested.
Despite multiple searches, including digs at Cal Poly and Flores family properties, no body or conclusive evidence was recovered. The Smart family, frustrated by the lack of progress, filed a civil lawsuit in 2005, which was dismissed due to lack of cooperation from Flores. A wrongful death lawsuit from the Flores family followed but did not result in a judgment.
A Breakthrough from a Podcast
In 2019, independent journalist Chris Lambert launched the podcast Your Own Backyard, which re-ignited public interest in Kristin’s case. The series brought forward new witnesses and led to renewed investigative efforts. In early 2020, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants, including at Paul Flores’ home, where they reportedly found date rape drugs and illicit videos showing sexual assaults.
Further searches in 2021 revealed biological evidence indicating Kristin’s body had once been buried under the deck of Ruben Flores’ home and then moved. With mounting forensic evidence and public pressure, Paul and Ruben Flores were arrested in April 2021.
The Trial and Conviction
The trial began in July 2022 after a venue change to Monterey County. Prosecutors argued that Paul Flores murdered Kristin during an attempted rape. They also stated that Ruben Flores helped hide the body. While the defense maintained Paul’s innocence, dual juries were empaneled to consider the cases against the father and son separately.
On October 18, 2022, Paul Flores was found guilty of first-degree murder. Ruben Flores was acquitted of being an accessory. Paul was sentenced on March 10, 2023, to 25 years to life in prison. He is currently incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison. In August 2023, he was attacked by his cellmate, convicted killer Jason Budrow, who had previously murdered another inmate.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Kristin Smart’s body has never been found. Her parents offered to waive restitution if Paul Flores would disclose the location of their daughter’s remains. Flores has refused and continues to maintain his innocence. In June 2024, a judge ordered Flores to pay over $500,000 in restitution for the Smart family’s expenses incurred over the years, including travel, investigative costs, and a memorial.
Kristin’s disappearance sparked changes in campus security laws. The Kristin Smart Campus Security Act, passed in 1998, mandates that all California public colleges coordinate closely with local law enforcement on cases involving potential violence against students. The Smart family also established the Kristin Smart Scholarship to honor her memory and support the education of young women.
Conclusion
The Dateline NBC special Justice for Kristin Smart provides a comprehensive look at the heartbreak, delays, and ultimate pursuit of justice that defined this case. Through personal interviews and investigative reporting, the episode captures the emotional weight of a family’s enduring hope, the failures that delayed justice, and the triumph of persistence. Though Kristin’s remains have not been recovered, her case has left a lasting legacy that will protect future generations of students and ensure she is never forgotten.
