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Kristin Smart Parents: Meet Stan and Denise

Author

Sophia Terry

Updated on February 05, 2026

Kristin Smart Parents: Meet Stan and Denise – Kristin Smart was born on February 20, 1977, in Augsburg, Germany.

Her family moved to Stockton, California when she was young. She was a bright and ambitious student who excelled in school and was involved in various extracurricular activities, including drama, music, and sports.

In the fall of 1995, Kristin started her freshman year at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. On the night of May 25, 1996, Kristin attended a party off-campus with some friends. Witnesses saw her walking back to her dormitory with a fellow student, Paul Flores. This was the last time Kristin was seen alive.

When Kristin failed to show up for her part-time job and missed her final exams, her worried parents reported her missing to the authorities. An extensive search was launched, but Kristin remained missing.

The investigation into Kristin’s disappearance soon focused on Paul Flores, who was the last person seen with her. Flores was questioned by police but denied any involvement. He claimed that he had walked Kristin back to her dormitory and left her outside her building.

Despite numerous searches and investigations, Kristin’s body was never found. However, investigators found several pieces of evidence that suggested foul play. For instance, cadaver dogs detected the scent of human remains in Flores’s dorm room and on his mattress. In addition, witnesses reported seeing Flores with a black eye and scratches on his arms shortly after Kristin’s disappearance.

The case remained unsolved for years, but in 2002, the Smart family filed a lawsuit against Flores for wrongful death. During the trial, several witnesses testified that they had seen Flores acting suspiciously on the night Kristin disappeared. They also claimed that Flores had made incriminating statements to them about what had happened to Kristin.

Despite the evidence, Flores was never charged with Kristin’s murder. However, he was convicted of several unrelated crimes, including burglary and drug possession. In 2019, authorities announced that they had new evidence in the case and had obtained search warrants to search Flores’s property.

In 2020, Paul Flores was arrested and charged with the murder of Kristin Smart. Flores’s father, Ruben Flores, was also arrested and charged with accessory to murder. Authorities believe that Ruben helped his son conceal Kristin’s body.

The case of Kristin Smart’s disappearance and murder has captured the attention of the nation for over two decades. Kristin’s family and friends have tirelessly campaigned for justice and closure, and their efforts have finally paid off. While the discovery of Kristin’s remains would bring a measure of closure to her loved ones, the fact that her alleged killer has been brought to justice is a step towards healing and justice.

Kristin Smart Parents: Meet Stan and Denise

Kristin Smart’s parents, Stan and Denise Smart, have been relentless in their pursuit of justice for their daughter since she disappeared in 1996. They have been outspoken advocates for their daughter and have worked tirelessly to keep her case in the public eye.

After Kristin went missing, the Smart family hired a private investigator to assist in the search. They also filed a lawsuit against Paul Flores for wrongful death, even though his criminal trial had not yet taken place. The lawsuit allowed the Smart family to obtain additional evidence and information about Kristin’s disappearance.

The Smart family has also been active in lobbying for changes to California’s Missing Persons Law, which they believe was inadequate in helping to locate their daughter. In 1998, the Smart family successfully lobbied for the creation of the Kristin Smart Campus Safety Act, which requires all California universities to adopt certain safety measures to protect their students.

Over the years, the Smart family has given numerous interviews to the media to keep the public informed about Kristin’s case. They have also created a website, kristinsmart.org, to provide updates on the case and to help keep the public involved in the search for their daughter.

The Smart family’s unwavering commitment to finding justice for Kristin has inspired many people and has helped to keep the case in the public eye for over two decades. Their determination and strength in the face of tragedy have been an inspiration to many.