Excavation near Cal Poly 'P' in Kristin Smart disappearance
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KTVU) - Twenty years following her disappearance, there are new developments in the Kristin Smart case.
Smart, 19, went missing in May of 1996, when she was a student at the college. She was returning to her dorm from a party at the time.
According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s office, investigators are working on an excavation project on the Cal Poly campus to determine if Smart was buried on the property.
Investigators are looking into several locations for her remains, but are only releasing details on one since it's a "high profile" location.
According to the sheriff's department, a "strong lead" that was developed over the past several years has led investigators to believe Smart could be buried on the hillside near the Cal Poly "P" landmark.
FBI trained canines were brought to the area in January, where they identified locations of interest in the area.
The sheriff's office says, " It is our hope this will lead us to finding Kristin and bring closure to her family and to the community." According to the sheriff's office, "The Smart family has been kept apprised and is supportive of this new development."
The excavation project is beginning before the fall quarter begins.