Kristin Smart

Kristin Smart was 19 years old when she disappeared from San Luis Obispo, CA on May 24, 1996.

Kristin has already been declared dead, so this isn’t a missing person per se.  I wanted to write it up because the story itself is so frustrating.   It is known that Kristin is dead and it is known who killed her, but sadly, he can’t be prosecuted because the police screwed up and there is no body.

I don’t know what I would do if I were Kristin’s mom. I would definitely want her body back, but because of the sheriff making a mistake, her killer will no longer entertain a plea agreement.

Kristin was finishing up her freshman year at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), majoring in architecture. It was Memorial Day weekend, and her roommate went home. Kristin was planning to stay on campus that weekend and look for a party. By all accounts, Kristin was naïve .

Around 8PM on May 24, 1996, she left with two friends to go “look for a party.” The friends flagged down a man in a pickup, and they all drove around looking. About two hours later, they came upon a small (around 20 people) party at a house off campus. Her friends, however, sensed something was off and they didn’t see anyone they knew, so they bowed out. Kristin went to the party alone.

Kristin’s behavior at the party was off. She was acting like she was drunk, flirting, hanging on men and she told people her name was “Roxy.” No one knew who she was and her behavior made others avoid her.  Some witnesses said she was drinking heavily, others say she was not drinking at all. (This is probably due to the fact that most witnesses were also drinking) Paul Flores was at the party and hitting on women, even women who were there with their boyfriends.  Kristin may well have been drugged with a date-rape drug.

The next thing that is known is Kristin was found lying face down in the neighbor’s lawn.

A senior student named Tim Davis got her up on her feet and started to walk her back to her dorm.  He was joined by Cheryl, who knew Kristin slightly. It was normally a ten minute walk, but because of Kristin’s condition, it took much longer. While they were walking, Paul Flores appeared out of nowhere and also started to assist with walking Kristin. None of them knew Kristin outside of the party that night, but Cheryl and Paul were acquaintances.

The four of them were about two blocks away from the campus when Tim went in a different direction to go home, leaving Kristin with Paul and Cheryl.  They walked together for another block, then Cheryl asked if Paul was okay walking her the rest of the way. Paul said he would be, then asked Cheryl for a kiss. Cheryl said no. He then asked her for a hug. Cheryl again said no and hurried away. Although this would have raised red flags to Cheryl about Kristin’s safety, she was cold, slightly intoxicated and really wanted to get home. She trusted that Paul would just bring Kristin back to her dorm, as their dorms were close to each other.

Paul was seen the next evening at another party, sporting a black eye.

Kristin’s roommate returned on Sunday and noticed that all of Kristin’s things were at the end of the bed, where she left them. She asked around and no one had seen Kristin since Friday, so she called campus police. The campus police didn’t investigate immediately, as it was Memorial Day weekend and they thought she might have “flown somewhere” or changed her mind and gone home after all. It wasn’t until Monday evening that the campus police called Kristin’s parents.

On Tuesday, the Smart family tried to file a missing persons report, but was told it was too early, and Kristin probably “ran away.”

It was nearly a week before campus police decided to interview students who might have seen Kristin or been involved in her disappearance.

Paul Flores was the last to see Kristin and came to the interview with a black eye with what appeared to be defensive scratches on his arm. Despite this, campus police accepted Paul’s version of the story and concluded there was no indication of foul play.  They did not photograph Paul’s injuries. The campus police also allowed the cleaning staff to clean both Paul and Kristin’s rooms, therefore possibly eliminating physical evidence that could have been useful to solving the case.

It was several weeks before the Cal Poly campus police agreed to file a missing persons report. On that report, they stated that Kristin’s parents told them she had been on a camping trip. This was not true; Kristin did not like camping. Most likely, that was added to the report to try to minimize the responsibility of the campus police.

A month after Kristin disappeared, the campus police realized they were in over their heads and called in the San Luis Obispo District Attorney. The first thing the DA did was re-interview Tim, Cheryl and Paul. Paul had several different stories about the black eye.  He told campus police that he had gotten elbowed during a pick-up basketball game. When they interviewed the other players, they all said that Paul already had the black eye on Saturday. One player also volunteered that Paul had scratches on his knees as well.

When confronted with the testimony of the fellow basketball players,  Paul changed his story and said he got the black eye from the steering wheel of his truck, while installing a stereo. Flores did have a truck on campus, despite having a suspended license for DUI. However, the police never asked to see his truck until a year later. Paul claimed the truck had been stolen.

Paul initially told campus police and San Luis Obispo police that he left Kristin by the door of her dorm, then walked to his dorm.

 Paul had only been at Cal Poly for one school year at the time of Kristin’s disappearance, but had already had encounters with the police.

In December of 1995, an intoxicated Paul Flores had been apprehended. He was suspected of being a peeping tom and/or attempting a break-in of a coed’s off-campus apartment by climbing her balcony. He was told to leave and was not arrested. Luis Obispo Police Department did not notify the Cal Poly Police Department of this incident.  

A few months later, on February 2, 1996, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated and was convicted the next month. 

Finally, on March 27, 1996, the three co-eds involved with the case in December filed a criminal complaint against Flores for making harassing phone calls to them. (The police report is here.)

The DA did not have enough evidence to bring charges, so he decided to bring in cadaver dogs on the off chance they would find Kristin’s body. There were four cadaver dogs (two labs, two border collies) who all independently “hit” on Paul’s former room. They hit specifically on a mattress, telephone and a garbage can. To be sure the dogs were not hitting improperly, the police moved the garbage can to the hallway, and put it with all of the other garbage cans from other rooms. All four dogs again hit on that garbage can. However, since the room had been cleaned, there was no physical evidence found in Paul’s room to prove Kristin had been in the room.

The police also searched Paul Flores’ parents’ home 7 weeks after Kristin’s disappearance, but they did not search the cars or use cadaver dogs. They also did not get phone records to verify if Paul called anyone that night.

A second search was done four years after Kristin’s disappearance, but there were restrictions on the warrant that did not allow them to dig up the yard. The yard was finally dug up in 2007, and no evidence was found that Kristin was buried there. Yes, it is odd that the family poured concrete at the same time as Kristin disappeared, but it does seem to be just an odd coincidence.

Paul Flores, through his attorney, later offered to tell police where Kristin’s body was in exchange for a misdemeanor charge.  The DA attempted to negotiate a plea bargain in which Paul would plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and serve six years. Paul declined this offer. Then, the Sheriff held a press conference in which he said that unless Paul gives up information, they will never be able to prosecute him. Paul began pleading the fifth and has until this day.

The Smart family filed a civil wrongful death suit against Paul to try to get information about what happened to their daughter, but withdrew the suit because Paul continued to plead the fifth. I don’t blame him; he has been told that he is free to go. Why would he plead to anything?

The only hope for any resolution in this case is for Kristin’s body to be found or for someone who knows something to talk. I don’t know if a body can even be found 18 years later, and of course Paul’s family isn’t going to say anything. I will be really happy if it gets solved, but I don’t see it happening. I personally believe that Paul slipped something into her drink with the intent to rape her.  He got her back to his dorm and she fought back, causing the defensive wounds and black eye. Then he either accidentally or intentionally killed her, called his dad, and he helped him get rid of the body. I might be completely wrong, but that is what makes sense to me.

Michelle Parker

Michelle Parker was 33 years old when she disappeared from Orlando, FL on November 20, 2011. 

Michelle was last seen dropping her 3-year-old twins, Trey and Taylor, off with their father and her ex-fiancè Dale Smith for a scheduled visitation at 2:30PM.  Earlier that day, a broadcast of their appearance on “The People’s Court” aired, in which Smith sued Parker for an engagement ring.  On that show, Michelle alleged Smith had drug and alcohol problems.

 "He gets pretty malicious and vindictive," Michelle said on the show. "And he's a mean person, especially when he's been drinking. He shouldn't have put his hands on me, and he shouldn't have put his hands on me prior. He shouldn't have left me three or four times over the past year and a half that we've been together."

The judge ruled that they should split the cost of the lost engagement ring, and ruled for Smith for $2500. This was filmed about three weeks before it aired.

The video quality is really bad, but here is the episode of "The People's Court":

 

Surveillance video captured Michelle in her Hummer SUV at a drive-through window ordering food shortly before she dropped off her two youngest children.  She then drove to Smith's condo, and that was the last she was seen. A missing persons report was filed after she failed to show up for work at 7:30PM.

According to family members, the last text message sent from Michelle's phone was to her brother at 4:26 p.m. the day she disappeared. It contained the single word, "Waterford," in response to her brother’s text asking where she was. Her brother claims it was unusual for Michelle to only text a single word, and he questions whether it was sent by Michelle. Her iPhone was later found underwater near a bridge.

Police found her SUV abandoned at an apartment complex a few days later, with the ads for her business removed.

Although police initially said Smith was cooperating and was not a suspect, during a press conference a few weeks after her disappearance, police claimed he was a primary suspect.

Smith's past may play a role in why police have not cleared him. He was convicted of battery in the 1990s, serving 10 days in jail. His second wife, Shannon, died of an accidental drug overdose.

Smith’s five-year stint with the Marines ended in 2001 when he was found guilty of drug and domestic battery charges. Smith was subsequently dishonorably discharged in 2003. More recently, in 2009, Michelle attempted to obtain a restraining order against Smith after he smashed the window of her car, but the request was denied due to lack of evidence.

Smith currently has full custody of the twins, who are now six years old. No criminal charges have been filed against him, or anyone else, in Michelle’s disappearance. 

In March of 2013, Michelle’s parents filed a wrongful death suit against Dale Smith, which is ongoing. Dale Smith denies any wrongdoing in Michelle’s disappearance and claims he has fully cooperated with police.

Michelle was born November 17, 1978 and has brown hair and brown eyes.  She is 5’5” to 5’7” and weighed around 140 pounds at the time of her disappearance.

Rilya Wilson

Rilya Wilson’s disappearance came to light because of another little girl’s death. It is a bit convoluted, but we will get there.

On April 28, 2001, the body of a 3-year-old girl was found in Kansas City, Missouri. The girl had been murdered and decapitated shortly before the body was discovered. The little girl was named “Precious Doe” by the Kansas City community and was buried.  However, busts were made and because of the brutality of the crime and the unknown identity, Precious Doe brought national attention.

Rilya (which stands for “Remember I Love You Always”) Wilson and her two siblings were removed from her mother’s care when Rilya was still an infant. They were placed with Geralyn Graham, who was the children’s aunt or godmother (the relationship is unclear), in Miami Florida. Rilya’s birth mother, Gloria Wilson, had a cocaine addiction and was unable to care for her children. She eventually lost her parental rights permanently.

Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) was obligated to check up on the children during monthly visits. Deborah Muskelly was the social worker assigned to do the monthly visits.  The last time there was a family visit was January of 2001.

Graham later told authorities that an unidentified African American female arrived at her home on January 18, 2001. The woman claimed to work for DCF and she was removing Rilya for some evaluations and testing. Rilya had reportedly been diagnosed with unspecified behavior problems prior to the last regular monthly visit. She was never heard from again. Graham claimed the abductor spoke with a thick “African” accent. This woman, Graham said, was extremely familiar with Rilya’s history and said the other social worker was aware of her. Graham also claims that two other people came to her home and requested toys to help Rilya transition to her new surroundings.

Muskelly and her supervisor did resign in March 2002 amid accusations that she had fraudulent home visit records. The agency contacted Graham while doing an internal investigation and learned of the possible abduction in April of 2002, 15 months after Rilya allegedly disappeared. 

Muskelly was criminally charged with 41 counts, including grand theft, relating to her alleged deficiency at her job. She pleaded guilty to one count of official misconduct and the had grand theft charge adjudicated so she received five years ‘ probation. The other 39 charges were dropped.  Muskelly admitted she billed the state as a social worker for the times when she was actually working her other job as a teacher. She had not been charged directly in connection with Rilya’s disappearance.

Patricia Kendrick is Gloria’s aunt, and her relationship to Graham is also unclear. However, Kendrick was a secondary caretaker to Rilya. 

In August 2004, Graham was charged with kidnapping and three counts of child abuse, and Kendrick with two lesser counts of child abuse. Kendrick promised to testify against Graham at her trial. She says both of them spanked Rilya with switches, locked her in a dog cage and in the laundry room.

Graham was later jailed for identity fraud and Medicaid fraud for accepting payments on behalf of Wilson after she was missing.  The two caretakers maintained that a DCF worker had taken the child for medical testing and never returned. Authorities denied that any state worker had ever taken Wilson for medical testing.

In August 2004, Graham was charged with kidnapping and three counts of child abuse, and Kendrick with two lesser counts of child abuse. Kendrick promised to testify against Graham at her trial. She says both of them spanked Rilya with switches, locked her in a dog cage and in the laundry room.

In March 2005, a grand jury indicted Geralyn Graham after she allegedly confessed in detail to inmate Robin Lunceford, who testified at trial over four days. Two other inmates also testified that Graham, while behind bars, suggested she killed the child.

In January 2013, the jury convicted Graham of kidnapping and child abuse, but deadlocked 11 to 1 on the charge of murder.

On February 12, 2013, the judge sentenced Graham to 30 years for kidnapping plus 25 years for aggravated child abuse. Two other abuse sentences – 25 years and five years, respectively – will be served concurrently for a total of 55 years behind bars. Prosecutors had sought the maximum of life plus 65 years, but at 67 years old at the time of sentencing, Graham will end up serving a life sentence.

The case led to the resignation of DCF director Kathleen Kearney and the passage of several reform laws, including a new missing-child-tracking system and the contracting out of foster child casework to private organizations. Lawmakers also made it illegal to falsify records of visits between caseworkers and foster children.

On May 5, 2005, Precious Doe was positively identified as three-year-old Erica Green. She was never reported missing, but relatives began to question where she was. Erica’s stepfather, Harrell Johnson, was convicted of murder and received a life sentence. Her mother, Michelle Johnson, received 25 years in exchange for her testimony against Harrell.

Rilya’s body has not been found, and it is possible that she was not murdered. Rilya was four years old at the time she disappeared. She was born September 19, 1996.

Rilya Wilson

Erica Green, "Precious Doe"

Toni Sharpless

Toni Sharpless

Toni Sharpless was 29 years old when she disappeared from Philadelphia, PA on August 23, 2009.

Toni was working as a registered nurse and raising her 12-year-old daughter with the assistance of her mother. She had been hospitalized for bipolar disorder a few times, but I am not clear on when her last hospitalization was: either six months or several years. By all accounts, until the evening of her disappearance, her mental illness was well maintained.

On the night of her disappearance, Toni went out to a club in Philadelphia with her friend Crystal Johns.  Her friend knew the owner of the club, who was the brother of former Philadelphia 76er player Willie Green, and they were in the VIP lounge. Crystal claims neither was drinking heavily at the club as they were mostly dancing. At the time the club closed (at 2:30 AM) Crystal and Toni were invited to Willie Green’s house in Gladwyne, PA. While they were there, Toni flew into a rage and started throwing furniture around and yelling. Crystal claims she had never seen Toni act like that before and realized she was intoxicated. Willie Green asked her to leave and Toni grabbed her keys and insisted on driving.  Green did ask Crystal if she was sure she wanted to get in the car with her, and Crystal admits she was not overly concerned about her driving.

Once the women were in the car, and still in Gladwyne, Toni became irate with Crystal and began to scream at her for laughing at her back at the party. She told Crystal to get out of her car. Crystal complied, believing that Toni would come back and get her, since she had no other way to get home. However, Toni sped off into the darkness and did not return. Crystal began calling her a few minutes later, but Toni never answered her phone.  Crystal eventually was able to get a ride home, but was very concerned and continued to call Toni, to no avail.

When Crystal got home at around 5:30 AM, she called Toni’s mother’s landline to make sure that Toni got home. She had not. Toni’s family wanted to wait to file a police report, but Crystal knew she was drunk driving, didn't have enough gas to get home without refueling, and could well be in trouble. She filed the missing persons report and the police began investigating and put her information into the database.

Toni’s last phone usage was on the drive to Gladwyne at around 3AM, when she texted her daughter. (Her daughter was unable to get to sleep) It is unknown if the phone was turned off or the battery ran out, but the phone did not ping and it was not used after that text.

About a week later, police in Camden, NJ (just across the river from Philadelphia) reported that they got a hit on her license plate on August 26. However, the car passed by an unmanned police car, so they had no way to track the car after that hit. Camden is a very crime-ridden city in New Jersey, and it is possible that Toni went there to get drugs. It is also possible that someone else was driving her car through the city. The Pontiac Grand Am was not seen after the sighting in Camden.

In January of 2013, police received an anonymous letter stating that Toni was killed after a fight with a Camden police officer, and the writer was paid $5,000 to drive the car to Boston. After he delivered the car to Boston, he claims he removed the license plate and recorded the VIN.  He did have the correct VIN, which adds some credibility to his account. What doesn’t make sense is why a police officer in Camden would be involved, as she would have been driving in Pennsylvania. If she had gotten pulled over for a DUI, that also would have likely occurred in Pennsylvania. Both Willie Green and Crystal Johns have fully cooperated with police and are not considered suspects.

Toni Lee Sharpless was born December 27, 1979 and was 5,5” and 135 pounds at the time of her disappearance. She has naturally brown hair and blue eyes. Her hair was dyed red. She takes medication for bipolar disorder, but it is now suspected she was not taking it, or she had a bad interaction from the medication and alcohol, which produced a manic episode.