Cruise for Kristin Smart held in Arroyo Grande marking 24 years since her disappearance
ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. - This Memorial Day marks 24 years since the disappearance of Kristin Smart. Community members gathered together in her honor and held a "Cruise for Kristin" which journeyed from Arroyo Grande to her memorial in Shell Beach.
Smart was a freshman at Cal Poly back in 1996. She reportedly went missing after walking to her university dorm room after a party with Paul Flores.
Flores is allegedly the last person to have seen her ever since.
While more than two decades have passed, people have not forgotten Kristin and continue to pray for closure in her case.
Monday's Cruise started at 6 p.m. Drivers gathered in the parking lot of the Village of Arroyo Grande.
Supporters then drove down Grand Avenue, through Pismo Beach on Highway 1 and ended their parade at the Shell Beach memorial.
Organizers encouraged participants to decorate their vehicles.
Refreshments were also laid out at Kristin's memorial for all who came out to enjoy.
Law enforcement are continuing to investigate the case. Updates in her disappearance have sprung up even as recently as January 2020.
"There is more hope than ever before," said Sandee Hunt-Burns, social media coordinator for Warriors for Kristin.