The family of Kristin Smart, a California college student who disappeared over two decades ago, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against California Polytechnic State University. The lawsuit alleges that the university is partly responsible for her death and accuses them of negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and wrongful death. The Smart family’s lawyers claim that the university had information about their daughter’s murder but did not disclose it to them until they issued a public apology.
Kristin Smart went missing on May 25, 1996, while attending California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Her parents, Stan and Denise Smart, believe that Paul Flores, a fellow student, took their daughter’s life. They also hold the university accountable for failing to act promptly in pursuing a missing person case, not interviewing witnesses in a timely manner, and not properly searching the suspect’s room until 16 days after Kristin’s disappearance.
The lawsuit further alleges that Cal Poly could have prevented Kristin’s murder if they had investigated and disciplined Paul Flores appropriately based on previous incidents of harassment reported against him. The Smart family argues that the university’s actions were “indefensible” and seeks accountability to prevent similar negligence in the future.
Although Paul Flores was convicted of Kristin’s murder in 2022 and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, her body has never been found. The family hopes that their lawsuit will not only bring justice for Kristin but also ensure that no other family goes through the same tragedy.
In response to the lawsuit, Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong issued an apology, acknowledging the university’s failings. However, the Smart family maintains that the apology cannot undo the pain and injustice they have endured. They emphasize that Kristin was not just a statistic but a vibrant and promising young woman whose life was tragically cut short.
The wrongful death lawsuit is an attempt to hold Cal Poly accountable and demand transparency in handling similar cases in the future. The Smart family’s lawyers and California Polytechnic University have not yet provided a comment on the matter.
