Post by LadyBlue on Dec 7, 2007 7:59:10 GMT -5
New Sheriff Pat Hedges says his department is renewing its focus on the disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart, who was last seen in May 1996.
The case of the Lincoln High School graduate was never closed but Hedges said he is asking investigators to re-interview Smart's friends and those who were at an off-campus party the night she disappeared.
On May 25, 1996, Smart was seen leaving the party near campus with fellow student Paul Flores, who told investigators he walked her to the end of a pathway to her dormitory. It was the last time Smart was ever seen, and Flores has since become the target of a criminal investigation, although investigators do not have the evidence to arrest him or charge him with any crime.
''We're stepping back,'' Hedges said, ''and looking at all the information that's been gathered with a fresh approach. We're seeing if certain areas need to be expanded on.''
Sheriff Department Spokesman Sgt. Sean Donahue said investigators likely will try to track down students who were on campus at the time Kristin Smart vanished.
"At the time of the original interviews, ... nobody really thought -- especially students -- that (Smart) had met with death. So at that time (students) probably did not put (all that) they could have, and some people had already left for vacations," Donahue said. "You could get eye witnesses who say, 'I remember that night seeing a couple of people talking. I didn't say anything at the time because nobody asked me.'"
The Smart case continues to be the subject of national media coverage, most recently having been featured on the "Maury" television program and in an article in People magazine. Most of that continued attention comes from the diligence of the Smart's parents, Stan and Denise Smart, who live in Stockton with their two younger children.
''Just keeping her name alive,'' Denise Smart said, ''is very important to us.''
They figure their daughter, who was 19 when she disappeared, is dead and may have even died accidentally that night. But they yearn to know where her body is. They want some form of closure, and the Sheriff's Department's renewed interest is encouraging, they say.
"The bottom line is that there's no happy ending here, but you need an ending," Denise Smart said. "So, yes, we're very pleased that there seems to be a renewed sense of commitment on the part of the Sheriff's Department to solve this case.
"The reality is there are never any guarantees," she said. "But as a family, just knowing that everything possible that can be done is being done, it not only restores your faith in law enforcement, I mean, it's a reason to hope."
Denise Smart said she's hopeful, too, that San Luis Obispo police are able to solve the case of Rachel Newhouse, a Cal Poly junior from Irvine who was last seen leaving a San Luis Obispo restaurant-bar last November. Both Newhouse and Smart had been drinking when last seen.
San Luis Obispo police said this week there is no new information on the Newhouse case, even after blood on the Jennifer Street Bridge was found to match hers. Dozens of people who saw her the night she disappeared have been interviewed.
The Smarts haven't talked with the Newhouses.
''But I feel for them,'' Denise Smart said. ''You're paralyzed with fear, coping is very hard. It's pretty traumatic.''
Not knowing what happened to their daughters is probably the toughest part for both families, Smart said.
''We want to know where they are,'' Denise Smart said. ''It's a basic human right to bring someone you love home to rest.''
She's optimistic that Kristin's disappearance will be solved someday. Meanwhile, the family continues with daily routines, such as school and jobs, while keeping her memory alive.
Denise Smart still praises the people of San Luis Obispo County for their concern about both missing women.
''The community embraced Rachel's family like it did ours,'' she said. ''Fortunately, not many people have to learn how valuable that is. It's nice to know that everyone rallies. You don't feel quite so alone.''
The case of the Lincoln High School graduate was never closed but Hedges said he is asking investigators to re-interview Smart's friends and those who were at an off-campus party the night she disappeared.
On May 25, 1996, Smart was seen leaving the party near campus with fellow student Paul Flores, who told investigators he walked her to the end of a pathway to her dormitory. It was the last time Smart was ever seen, and Flores has since become the target of a criminal investigation, although investigators do not have the evidence to arrest him or charge him with any crime.
''We're stepping back,'' Hedges said, ''and looking at all the information that's been gathered with a fresh approach. We're seeing if certain areas need to be expanded on.''
Sheriff Department Spokesman Sgt. Sean Donahue said investigators likely will try to track down students who were on campus at the time Kristin Smart vanished.
"At the time of the original interviews, ... nobody really thought -- especially students -- that (Smart) had met with death. So at that time (students) probably did not put (all that) they could have, and some people had already left for vacations," Donahue said. "You could get eye witnesses who say, 'I remember that night seeing a couple of people talking. I didn't say anything at the time because nobody asked me.'"
The Smart case continues to be the subject of national media coverage, most recently having been featured on the "Maury" television program and in an article in People magazine. Most of that continued attention comes from the diligence of the Smart's parents, Stan and Denise Smart, who live in Stockton with their two younger children.
''Just keeping her name alive,'' Denise Smart said, ''is very important to us.''
They figure their daughter, who was 19 when she disappeared, is dead and may have even died accidentally that night. But they yearn to know where her body is. They want some form of closure, and the Sheriff's Department's renewed interest is encouraging, they say.
"The bottom line is that there's no happy ending here, but you need an ending," Denise Smart said. "So, yes, we're very pleased that there seems to be a renewed sense of commitment on the part of the Sheriff's Department to solve this case.
"The reality is there are never any guarantees," she said. "But as a family, just knowing that everything possible that can be done is being done, it not only restores your faith in law enforcement, I mean, it's a reason to hope."
Denise Smart said she's hopeful, too, that San Luis Obispo police are able to solve the case of Rachel Newhouse, a Cal Poly junior from Irvine who was last seen leaving a San Luis Obispo restaurant-bar last November. Both Newhouse and Smart had been drinking when last seen.
San Luis Obispo police said this week there is no new information on the Newhouse case, even after blood on the Jennifer Street Bridge was found to match hers. Dozens of people who saw her the night she disappeared have been interviewed.
The Smarts haven't talked with the Newhouses.
''But I feel for them,'' Denise Smart said. ''You're paralyzed with fear, coping is very hard. It's pretty traumatic.''
Not knowing what happened to their daughters is probably the toughest part for both families, Smart said.
''We want to know where they are,'' Denise Smart said. ''It's a basic human right to bring someone you love home to rest.''
She's optimistic that Kristin's disappearance will be solved someday. Meanwhile, the family continues with daily routines, such as school and jobs, while keeping her memory alive.
Denise Smart still praises the people of San Luis Obispo County for their concern about both missing women.
''The community embraced Rachel's family like it did ours,'' she said. ''Fortunately, not many people have to learn how valuable that is. It's nice to know that everyone rallies. You don't feel quite so alone.''