Possible resolution to the Kristin Smart case

[Todd Mueller]

Credit to RobinW who posted this article on Twitter.

Normally I wouldn't give much credence to this, buy holy crap... it's coming from Kristin's mom who was contacted by the FBI.

It part, the article says:

Kristin’s mother, Denise Smart, said she recently has been contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and told to be ready for a development that might bring closure to her 23-year nightmare. Denise said she was told by authorities, “Be ready. This is really going to be something you don’t expect. We want to give you the support you need.”

The FBI also suggested she secure a family spokesperson and the family “might want to get away for a while.” What the FBI didn’t say is when this development might be announced.

“It’s like, ‘Can you give me the flight plan?’ ” Denise said. “When is this happening?”

The FBI’s preparation alert certainly has brought renewed optimism. Though answers finally might be coming, not knowing what to be prepared for or when news might break has been agonizing.

“I wish I knew when,” Denise said softly, “because it’s very anxiety-producing.”

WOW! I can't wrap my head around "this is really going to be something you don't expect." I hate to speculate but... Is she still alive? Is the killer not Paul Flores? WTH??? I can't imagine a scenario that doesn't involve Kristin being dead and Paul not at the center of it. I'm really intrigued now.

And here is another article.

[Fletch]

Oh man... I really hope she is alive, that would be amazing.

[TheCars1986]

I can't imagine them telling the family to get a spokesperson and to "get away for awhile" unless it somehow implicated someone in the family?

[mercy1825]

This seems almost outrageous to me. Like the FBI is trying to garner a reaction from someone, perhaps Paul Flores, to take some sort of action. It seems like so publicly announcing that a breakthrough is coming is a calculated stunt to see how the suspect may react, etc. From all I know about this case, anything other than an arrest of Paul Flores would be totally shocking.

[Todd Mueller]

Originally Posted by mercy1825

This seems almost outrageous to me. Like the FBI is trying to garner a reaction from someone, perhaps Paul Flores, to take some sort of action. It seems like so publicly announcing that a breakthrough is coming is a calculated stunt to see how the suspect may react, etc. From all I know about this case, anything other than an arrest of Paul Flores would be totally shocking.

You never know. Maybe they have been tracking Paul and are waiting for him to do something dumb like visit where her remains are. If they publicly say this is close to a resolution, maybe it's an attempt to force his hand. But I just can't believe that's the case here.

The only other thing I can think of, is if Paul Flores is about to make a full confession (that wouldn't be expected), and maybe give all the gory details about what happened. That would probably bother the Smart family enough that they wouldn't want to be barraged by reporters, and getting away might help them cope with the news.

But even if that is the case, why would the FBI say that stuff? Unless they already have a signed confession, it seems like they are putting the cart in front of the horse. In that case, it implies like an arrest is imminent, but then we're back to what does "something you don't expect" mean.

I was hoping the "Your Own Backyard" podcast would knock something loose in this case, and it seems like it may have. If you haven't listened to it yet, I highly recommend it. Very interesting and really well produced.

[dynoguy88]

I would be absolutely shocked if Paul Flores ever confessed. He has no conscience whatsoever. He has assaulted, drugged and raped other girls before (and most likely after) Kristen with no punishment and no guilt. I don't think he is capable of feeling shame.

But I'm eager to hear about these possible new developments. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's good news. Lock up Paul and throw away the key.

[LooksLikeCRicci]

The only way this development will shock me is if Paul is not involved somehow...

[Jediknight1823]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

I can't imagine them telling the family to get a spokesperson and to "get away for awhile" unless it somehow implicated someone in the family?

Could be a warning because it's gonna become a media circus for a few days. And that's the only way for the family to avoid having cameras shoved in their faces.

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by Jediknight1823

Could be a warning because it's gonna become a media circus for a few days. And that's the only way for the family to avoid having cameras shoved in their faces.

That's a good point but the line, "This is really going to be something you don’t expect." is what threw me off and makes me think this is something bigger.

[Jediknight1823]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

That's a good point but the line, "This is really going to be something you don’t expect." is what threw me off and makes me think this is something bigger.

Saw some speculation that line is referring to her possibly being alive when Paul called his parents, and when his father arrived.

[tarheelslim]

Originally Posted by Jediknight1823

Saw some speculation that line is referring to her possibly being alive when Paul called his parents, and when his father arrived.

I've read a lot of comments on this article and this is both simultaneously the one that makes me think it could be true and it is also the most absolutely horrendous idea to imagine.

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by Jediknight1823

Saw some speculation that line is referring to her possibly being alive when Paul called his parents, and when his father arrived.

So is the implication that Flores and his parents all conspired together to murder her and dispose of evidence? I'm kind of confused about this.

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

So is the implication that Flores and his parents all conspired together to murder her and dispose of evidence? I'm kind of confused about this.

I get the impression he had hurt her bad, maybe to the point of knocking her out when she rejected his advances, or something along those lines.

Consider that the year prior, he drugged and raped a girl, then he and a buddy carried her body to her front porch, rang the doorbell and ran. When the girl and her parents later tried to press charges against him, he did what most rapists do and claimed the sex was consensual. So no charges were filed.

Now with Kristen, he most likely threw himself on her, she tried to fight him off and he hurt her in some way that drew blood (traces of blood was found in his dorm room). Now Paul knows that as soon as she regains consciousness, she could get him on rape charges as well as assault charges and he'd FINALLY get some prison time. So he calls up mom and dad and maybe they decide to go full Beverly Noe and kill her.

I know this is a very dark and disturbing theory but I wouldn't put it past that family. Putting a pretty college aged girl who is tipsy in front of Paul Flores is the equivalent of putting a little kid in a candy shop. This will not end well.

[Todd Mueller]

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

I get the impression he had hurt her bad, maybe to the point of knocking her out when she rejected his advances, or something along those lines.

Consider that the year prior, he drugged and raped a girl, then he and a buddy carried her body to her front porch, rang the doorbell and ran. When the girl and her parents later tried to press charges against him, he did what most rapists do and claimed the sex was consensual. So no charges were filed.

Now with Kristen, he most likely threw himself on her, she tried to fight him off and he hurt her in some way that drew blood (traces of blood was found in his dorm room). Now Paul knows that as soon as she regains consciousness, she could get him on rape charges as well as assault charges and he'd FINALLY get some prison time. So he calls up mom and dad and maybe they decide to go full Beverly Noe and kill her.

I know this is a very dark and disturbing theory but I wouldn't put it past that family. Putting a pretty college aged girl who is tipsy in front of Paul Flores is the equivalent of putting a little kid in a candy shop. This will not end well.

Ugh... If this (or something similar) is true, it makes this case even more horrible and disgusting. I didn't think that was possible.

After listening to the podcast, there is a lot of weirdness with Ruben Flores. It goes way beyond just covering for your kid who has been accused of a crime. To me, he is protecting Paul and himself. Ruben was very evasive especially when it came to his movements after Kristin went missing. They replay part of a deposition with Ruben and you just want to scream at him for playing dumb and being so unhelpful. It's clear to me he was very involved in this crime also.

All of this begs the question: what brought the big news to light? I'm assuming they either found her remains or now have a good idea where they are. What specific evidence got authorities to this point? As horrible as this case is and as horrible as the news may be, I am anxious for resolution to this and hopeful that it can start the healing process for the Smart family.

Even without this case, Paul is a total piece of trash for how he treated women. He is a total predator and very likely a murderer. He's been roaming free for way too long. Time to put this piece of trash behind bars where he should have been a long time ago.

[Fletch]

USA Today has picked up the story... I really hope it's close to being solved, however I think that if Kristin was alive, they would have kept this quiet until they had her and she was safe. I hope I am wrong.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...dy/4539971002/