BREAKING NEWS: Search Warrant Served at Susan Flores’ Arroyo Grande Home in Connection to Kristin Smart Case

By Paso Robles Press Staff Report · Wed May 06 2026

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies are actively executing a search warrant this morning at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores in connection with the long-running case of Kristin Smart.

According to Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tony Cipolla, the search is directly tied to the decades-old investigation. Authorities served Susan Flores at her doorstep at approximately 7:05 a.m., and she was seen leaving the residence shortly after at 8:02 a.m. as law enforcement began operations at the property.

This marks a significant development in a case that has spanned nearly three decades.

To recap, investigators previously searched the home of Ruben Flores in March 2021 using ground-penetrating radar. That search revealed a 6-foot by 4-foot anomaly beneath a deck, where soil samples later tested positive for human blood. The discovery led to the arrests of Paul Flores and Ruben Flores. Prosecutors have stated they believe Kristin Smart’s remains were moved from that location prior to the search.

Susan Flores’ Arroyo Grande home has long been a point of interest in the investigation. It was last searched in June 2000, though notably, the yard was not excavated at that time. A later search in February 2020 was limited to the collection of digital evidence.

Suspicion surrounding the property dates back to 1997, shortly after Kristin Smart’s disappearance. A tenant who rented the home reported discovering a turquoise earring in the yard—an item collected by investigators but never formally logged into evidence and later reported missing. The same tenant also claimed to hear a digital watch alarm sounding at 4:20 a.m. from the backyard for a period of time, though the source was never located.

After the tenant’s eviction in March 1997, Susan Flores returned to the home, where she has lived for years. Her former partner, Mike McConville, who also resided at the property, passed away in July 2025.

Authorities have not yet released details about what new evidence may have prompted today’s search. However, investigators previously indicated in 2020 that the property had been “exhausted” as a lead—suggesting that new information may have emerged to justify renewed activity.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.