Nightline Full Broadcast — Thursday, June 4, 2026

Key Concepts

• Cold Case Investigation: The decades-long search for Kristen Smart, involving forensic evidence, cadaver dogs, and ground-penetrating radar.
• Criminal Justice: The legal process of securing a conviction in a circumstantial case without a body.
• Creative Collaboration: The dynamics of artistic ownership and professional rivalry in the film industry.
• Philanthropic Legacy: The use of personal estates and auctions to fund charitable foundations (specifically addiction recovery).

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1. The Kristen Smart Case: A Three-Decade Search for Justice

Main Topics: The 1996 disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristen Smart and the subsequent investigation that led to the conviction of Paul Flores.

• Background: In May 1996, 19-year-old Kristen Smart vanished after leaving a party. Paul Flores, a fellow student, was the last person seen with her.
• Initial Failures: The university police department initially treated the case as a missing person who had likely gone on vacation, failing to secure the scene or conduct a timely investigation. The university president later issued a formal apology in 2023 for these procedural failures.
• Key Evidence & Methodology:
  • Cadaver Dogs: Five weeks after the disappearance, dogs alerted to Paul Flores’s dorm room (Room 128), specifically the corner of his mattress.
  • Conflicting Statements: Flores provided inconsistent accounts regarding a black eye, claiming it was from basketball, then a truck steering wheel.
  • Podcast Influence: The Your Own Backyard podcast by Chris Lambert is credited with revitalizing public interest and uncovering new witnesses.
  • Forensic Breakthrough: In 2021, investigators used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) at the home of Flores’s father, Ruben. They discovered soil staining consistent with human decomposition and human blood, alongside clothing fibers matching what Smart wore the day she disappeared.
• Outcome: Paul Flores was found guilty of murder in a 12-week trial. His father, Ruben Flores, was acquitted of being an accessory.
• Ongoing Search: Authorities continue to search the property of Susan Flores (Paul’s mother), where GPR testing suggests human remains may have been present.

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2. Power Ballad: Film Industry Dynamics

Main Topics: The creative and professional relationship between Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd in their new film.

• Premise: The film explores the "gray area" of creative ownership, focusing on a washed-up wedding singer and a pop star who collaborate on a song, leading to conflict over credit and success.
• Character Perspectives: Nick Jonas noted that his character, Danny, experiences an "identity crisis" common in the music industry, where artists are often pressured to produce constant hits.
• Methodology: The actors emphasized that the film avoids a "black and white" moral narrative, opting for a "messy" and grounded ending that reflects the complexities of real-life professional relationships.
• Notable Quote: Nick Jonas on the industry: "You're only as good as your next hit... but once a star, always a threat."

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3. Matthew Perry’s Legacy and Auction

Main Topics: The auction of personal items belonging to the late actor Matthew Perry to benefit his charitable foundation.

• Items for Auction: The collection includes a signed Friends script, a Banksy artwork (Girl with Balloon), and a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit—a book famously referenced in the show Friends.
• Purpose: The auction is organized to benefit the Matthew Perry Foundation, which provides support for individuals struggling with addiction.
• Supporting Perspective: Actress Selma Blair publicly endorsed the auction, encouraging fans to "keep his heart and his spirit going" by supporting the foundation.

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Synthesis and Conclusion

The broadcast highlights the intersection of justice, art, and legacy. The Kristen Smart case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of persistent investigative work and the impact of public advocacy in cold cases. Conversely, the segments on Power Ballad and the Matthew Perry auction illustrate how public figures navigate the pressures of fame and the desire to leave a positive, lasting impact on society. Whether through the legal system or charitable foundations, the common thread is the pursuit of resolution and the preservation of memory.