WATCH: “As Long As It Takes” – SLO Sheriff Continues the Search For Kristin Smart

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – On Friday morning, Sheriff Ian Parkinson from the San Luis Obispo provided an update in the continued search to find Kristin Smart, the Cal Poly freshman who disappeared nearly 30 years ago.

On Wednesday, investigators began searching the home of Susan Flores, the mother of the man convicted of murdering Smart back in 1996. During Friday conference, Sheriff Parkinson said a search warrant was granted due to probable cause, but would not go into details about what possible leads or evidence led them to Flores' Arroyo Grande home.

The sheriff confirmed the use of GPR, ground-penetrating radar, soil testing and measurements at Flores' home and the neighboring property.

Up until now, the sheriff's department has not shared any details into the search, but it was the topic of discussion at today's 9:00am conference.

Sheriff Parkinson inherited the case when he came into office in 2011, making a commitment to the public and the Smart family to continue the search for Kristin Smart. Since then, several searches have been conducted for evidence of Kristin's remains and in 2022 Paul Flores was found guilty by a Monterey County jury of first-degree murder.

Sheriff Parkinson says Wednesday's search warrant is what is known as a "kick-out" warrant, meaning Susan Flores has been ordered to leave the home and can not return until the search is over."

As of Friday morning, investigators have not located Kristin Smart.

"We are not leaving that house until we've checked everything," said Parkinson.

When asked how long the search was expected to last, Sheriff Parkinson told the press: "as long as it takes."

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