20-Year Old Cold Case Reopened, Missing Teen 'Could Be' Buried in Campus

Investigators are reopening a 20-year old cold case which involves a freshman from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. The investigation will include an excavation of the campus in the belief that Kristin Smart's remains had been buried there.

On May 25, 1996, 19-year old Smart was last seen returning to her dormitory after a party. Smart was dressed in running shorts and a short-cropped t-shirt. According to initial reports, Smart had left for her dormitory along with a few other students. It wasn't three days after she was last seen that a missing person report was filed.

It was in 2002 that she was declared dead, but her remains have yet to be found. However, the FBI along with the San Luis Obispo County Sherriff Office hopes to find her body. The case which has been unsolved until now has been reopened. Before looking for a lead, investigators are hoping to first find Smart's body.

"We're not sure where this is going to take us. Obviously, we want to be optimistic as possible and we hope that this leads us to either Kristin or evidence of Kristin. After a comprehensive review of the Smart case, a lead was developed over the past two years that strongly suggested the remains of Kristin might be buried on the hillside near the Cal Poly 'P' landmark," stated Sheriff Ian Parkinson of the San Luis Obispo County during a press conference.

As for Smart's family, they are nothing but "encouraged and hopeful for the new developments." They only hope for the return of their daughter's body.

"We have been hoping, praying and waiting for the last twenty years for the return of our daughter. And while the road has been difficult beyond words; our hopes were rekindled when Sheriff Parkinson took office," read the statement released by Smart's family.

Developments on the excavation have yet to be released.