Flores killed SLO County coed while sexual assaulting her, DA alleges
April 14, 2021
By JOSH FRIEDMAN
Paul Flores murdered Cal Poly student Kristin Smart, who has been missing since 1996, while raping or attempting to rape her, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow alleges.
At a press conference Wednesday, Dow announced his office filed a first-degree murder charge against Paul Flores, 44, and accessory after-the-fact to murder charge against 80-year-old Ruben Flores, the father of Paul Flores.
Ruben Flores helped to conceal Smart’s body after his son committed the murder, Dow said.
During the press conference, Dow said investigators think they know a location where Smart’s body may be. He did not specify the location.
Suspects in 1996 murder of Kristin Smart make 1st court appearance via Zoom
Suspects in 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart make 1st court appearances
Replay Video UP NEXT Paul Flores, the man charged with murder this week in connection to the 1996 disappearance of his college classmate, Kristin Smart, made a brief first appearance in court via Zoom on Thursday. Flores who was arrested for murder on Tuesday walked Smart home from that party, and previously was named the prime suspect, authorities said. Flores is accused of causing the teen s death during an attempted rape, San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow said Wednesday.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff s Office
David Krause, 41, of Grover Beach
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - A man charged in the death of a 90-year-old Oceano man pleaded not guilty to murder charges Thursday.
David Krause, 41, of Grover Beach made his court appearance Thursday morning. Krause is accused of killing Lawrence Bross in January 2019 at Bross s home in Oceano.
Bross was killed from what investigators called “multiple chop force traumatic injuries.” Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth said the weapon was believed to have been a hammer-like object, although the murder weapon was never found.
90-year-old Lawrence Bross was found killed in his home in January 2019
Paul Flores will face first-degree murder charges in the 1996 murder of Stockton college student Kristin Smart.
Authorities say that Paul Flores, now 44, killed the 19-year-old Lincoln High graduate in his dorm room while raping or attempting to rape her. Both Paul and Kristin were students at Cal Poly.
His father, 80-year-old Ruben Flores, is also charged with accessory to murder after the fact for allegedly helping to conceal Kristin’s body.
On Tuesday morning, San Luis Obispo County sheriff s deputies made simultaneous arrests of Paul Flores at his home in San Pedro and Ruben Flores at his home in Arroyo Grande. The arraignment is set for Thursday.
Kristin Smart case brings new attention to sexual assaults during Sexual Assault Awareness Month
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The arrest of Paul Flores in connection to the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart is bringing new attention to sexual assaults during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said Wednesday that Flores was charged with killing Smart during the commission of rape or during an attempted rape. Although the statute of limitations for rape has expired, Dow said the rape is the basis for filing felony murder charges.
The district attorney also said there was evidence more people may have been sexually assaulted by Paul Flores, particularly in Southern California.