The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office revealed on Saturday that their search of the residence belonging to the mother of Kristin Smart’s convicted killer did not lead to the discovery of her remains.

Officials confirmed the completion of the investigation at the Arroyo Grande, California home of Susan Flores, mother of Paul Flores, who was convicted of Smart’s murder. The search took place in the 500 block of East Branch Street.

The sheriff’s office said ‘we did not recover Kristin Smart’ and refused to say specifically what evidence they had found. 

In a released statement, authorities emphasized their unwavering dedication to locating Kristin Smart and reuniting her with her family.

Investigators will now assess any materials gathered during the search to advance their ongoing investigation.

The search operation at Flores’ property on Wednesday employed ground-penetrating radar and specialized soil analysis, rekindling hopes of discovering Smart’s whereabouts nearly 30 years after her disappearance.

Smart disappeared more than 30 years ago while attending California Polytechnic State University and was legally declared dead in 2002.

Paul Flores, her former classmate, was convicted of her murder in 2022. Smart’s remains have never been found. 

Kristin Smart, the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo student who disappeared in 1996 and was declared dead in 2002

The human remains were found at the home of Susan Flores (pictured), the mother of Smart’s killer Paul Flores. Susan has never faced criminal charges related to Smart’s death 

In Saturday’s update, law enforcement said they would not provide any further information.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson had said Friday that that Flores remained a person of interest in the decades–old case. 

Parkinson said prosecutors could pursue charges if investigators uncovered enough evidence to build a case. 

‘She can still be prosecuted as an accessory if we can make that link,’ Parkinson said. 

He said that had happened with Flores’ ex–husband, Ruben Flores. He was charged with helping conceal Smart’s body but was acquitted of being an accessory after the fact. 

When asked if investigators were receiving results that were ‘consistent with human remains presence,’ Parkinson said, ‘Correct.’

Authorities explained that they would file as many search warrants as needed. 

‘We’re prepared to go as long as it takes until we either find Kristin, find evidence and are satisfied that everything has been searched,’ Parkinson said. 

Authorities conducted a search of the garage of Susan Flores’ property on Wednesday 

Paul Flores, seen in 2006, was convicted of murdering Smart in 2022. He is serving a life sentence in prison 

The search warrant for Flores’ home prevented her from re–entering until the search was complete.

The sheriff’s office had access to the whole property and a portion of a neighboring yard.   

Smart went missing from California Polytechnic State University in 1996 and was declared dead six years later.

Prosecutors alleged she was killed during an attempted rape and that the last person she was seen with was Paul Flores, a fellow student.

He claimed at the time that he walked Smart home from an off-campus party and parted ways.

Him and his father Ruben were arrested in 2021, with prosecutors alleging that Smart’s body had been buried on Ruben’s property before being moved.

Paul Flores was convicted of her murder and is serving a 25 years-to-life sentence. 

Investigators again noted this week that they believed Smart’s body had been moved.

‘Kristin has been moved, and we don’t know how many times she’s been moved and where she’s moved,’ Parkinson said. 

Susan has never faced criminal charges related to Smart’s death. 

Ian Parkinson, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff, said Friday that Susan Flores remained a person of interest in the case

Prosecutors alleged she was killed during an attempted rape and that the last person she was seen with was Flores (pictured), a fellow student

Smart was reported missing by a friend but a search didn’t begin until days later due to the miscommunication between authorities.

Four different search dogs trained to pick up the smell of human remains led police to Paul Flores’s dorm room during the investigation.

However, no evidence was found in his room.

Investigators found him with a black eye during their interview, which Flores claimed he received playing basketball with friends, who denied his account.

He later changed his story to say he bumped his head while working on his car, per court records.

The jury heard evidence that a grave was located beneath the deck of Ruben’s home which is believed to have previously held Smart’s body.

Additionally, two women testified that Flores subsequently drugged them and engaged in sex acts with them against their will and while they were so intoxicated that they were incapable of giving legal consent.

Flores was unanimously found guilty of Smart’s first degree murder.

In a separate case, an Alabama woman received a life sentence on Friday after being found guilty of hiring a hitman in a custody dispute to kill the father of her child. The Morgan County District Attorney’s Office announced that Jaclyn Skuce, 43, from Madison, was convicted of capital murder. She was accused of plotting to eliminate the child’s father to prevent him from gaining custody or securing further visitation rights.

The tragic events unfolded on July 24, 2020, when the Hartselle Police Department responded to a welfare check at a residence. This was prompted by Anthony Larry Sheppard’s failure to attend a scheduled custody hearing, causing concern for his well-being. Upon the request of his attorney, officers were dispatched to ensure his safety.

Upon reaching Sheppard’s home, police were confronted with a disturbing scene: the storm door was shattered, and the main door was left open, raising immediate alarm.

Upon arrival, police discovered Sheppard’s storm door shattered and the main door ajar.

Jaclyn Skuce, 43, was sentenced to life in prison for hiring a hitman to kill her child’s father, prosecutors said. (Morgan County District Attorney’s Office)

Officers later found Sheppard dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators determined that Skuce hired Logan Delp to kill Sheppard in order to prevent him from gaining custody or further visitation with his child.

Prosecutors said Skuce used social media to hire the hitman, who lived in Hartselle, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. She allegedly offered to pay $30,000.

An Alabama woman was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in a murder-for-hire case tied to a custody dispute. (Morgan County District Attorney’s Office)

“There are never any winners in a case like this,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said following the verdict. “This jury was incredibly thorough and took their time to make sure they made the right decision, both for Mr. Sheppard and for the defendant.”

Vickery added, “We are glad that they convicted her for the choice she made to take Mr. Sheppard away from his family.”

Skuce was found guilty of three counts of capital murder: murder for hire, murder of a witness, and murder committed by shooting into an occupied dwelling.

Four other defendants have been charged with capital murder in connection with Sheppard’s death.

Prosecutors said the defendant used social media to arrange a killing in exchange for payment. (Hartselle Police Department)

Delp was convicted of capital murder in October 2025, the DA’s office said. Another defendant has pleaded guilty, and two others are awaiting trial.

Skuce will be imprisoned without the possibility of parole in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

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Jennifer Fessler delivered a sharp response following Ciara Miller’s social media allegations that the former “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star had an affair with West Wilson.

“Honestly, while it’s somewhat flattering, it’s not acceptable to spread false and damaging claims on social media, irrespective of whatever rumors or so-called ‘evidence’ you might have,” Fessler expressed in her Instagram Stories on Saturday.

“This is a textbook case of libel,” she further explained. “If it were true, I’d have no grounds for complaint. But since it’s a fabrication, things could get more legally intricate. That said, I hope we can resolve this matter. Enough is enough.”

Fessler’s firm reaction followed Miller, 30, who had dated Wilson for half a year in 2023, sharing a series of posts about the situation on Threads Friday night.

The controversy ignited after a social media user summarized Fessler’s remarks from her appearance at Vulture’s The Masterminds of Reality TV event on Thursday.

“Former RHONJ ‘friend of’ Jenn Fessler was asked by Page Six about the Summer House scandal tonight and said this about West: ‘[West] is the cutest, sweetest golden retriever puppy dog. He does not mean any harm. He didn’t mean it. He’s just trying to have a good time. He doesn’t wanna hurt anyone. Give him a break.’ Girl…”

Miller retorted by commenting, “lol, because they slept together too.”

A social media user pushed back in the comments, citing Fessler’s longtime marriage to Jeff Fessler.

“Ma’am! I beg your pardon?!?! Ain’t that old lady married? Oh he got a type,” to which Miller again replied, “That’s what I thought….” along with an emoji of a person cartwheeling.

Fessler, 57 — who tied the knot with Jeff Fessler in 1999 — exclusively told Page Six on Friday, “It’s flattering that anyone would think someone who slept with Ciara Miller would be interested in sleeping with me.”

Wilson, 31, took to social media with a denial of his own on Friday evening, tagging Fessler in an upload of a meme conveying confusion, and writing atop the image, “News to me.”

Ciara meanwhile, further fueled the fire with another re-share — this one showing Wilson’s current girlfriend, “Summer House” co-star Amanda Batula — lounging on a beach chair.

“If I send this to you I’m about to lie straight to your face,” the caption read.

Reps for Miller, Wilson, and Fessler have not responded to Page Six’s requests for comment on the social media drama.

Miller was close friends with Batula before she and Wilson announced they’re dating in a bombshell social media statement in March. As the announcement went public, Miller was seen crouched outside an Hermés boutique in anguish.

A source divulged to Page Six that the couple’s co-stars, including Miller and Batula’s estranged husband, Kyle Cooke, are “disappointed” in them, adding that the cast is generally “Team Ciara.” Miller unfollowed Batula, 34, and Wilson amid the fallout.

Another Bravo star stepped forward last month — “Southern Hospitality” personality Mia Alario openly questioned the couple’s relationship timeline after they claimed to have started spending time together in February.

Alario, 28, told Andy Cohen during an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live” last month that the duo was already spending time together when she went on one date with Wilson in September.

The TV personality said Batula told her she’d “pregamed” her date with Wilson ahead of time and that she gave the sports reporter “some advice and some tips” before their date.

Alario called the situation “messy” in speaking to Cohen. “I don’t want any part of that at all,” she said at the time.