Sheriff’s Office Conducts Search Warrant Excavation at Susan Flores Property in Kristin Smart Investigation
ARROYO GRANDE, CA-The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has released new details regarding a recent search conducted at the Arroyo Grande property of Susan Flores, located in the 500 block of East Branch Street. The operation, authorized by a Superior Court judge’s search warrant, is part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance and murder of Kristin Smart.
During the investigation, detectives utilized specialized investigative resources, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and soil vapor science. Soil scientists identified a specific area along the side yard of the property that yielded results consistent with the possible presence of human remains. Following these findings, investigators secured an additional search warrant on May 8, 2026, to excavate the identified location.
The excavation process required the removal of large concrete pavers along the side yard. Investigators continued excavation activities on May 9, 2026, sifting through the excavated soil for evidence related to the case.
According to the press release, investigators recovered several items considered evidentiary in nature during the search. These items are currently undergoing analysis as part of the active investigation. No human remains were recovered during the excavation.
The Sheriff’s Office stated it remains committed to locating Smart. No further information is available, and officials indicated that the department will not provide additional comments or updates at this time.
