Supporters hold candlelight vigil for Kristin Smart

Dozens of supporters gathered at Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo Beach on Friday night to honor the memory of Kristin Smart, the Cal Poly student who went missing in 1996 and who authorities said could be buried near campus.

On Friday, investigators from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI finished their four-day excavation near the iconic Cal Poly “P,” where officials said Smart’s remains could be buried. Sheriff Ian Parkinson said the campus dig was the result of a lead that was developed during a comprehensive review over the past two years by a new detective assigned to the case full time.

The Sheriff’s Office said several “items of interest” were found during the search, and supporters are hopeful any unearthed clues will offer a clear path to finding out what happened to Smart. Forensic anthropologists and other experts may take weeks to analyze the findings, officials said.

Those who gathered at Dinosaur Caves Park from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday lit candles, shared stories and bowed their heads in prayer as the sun set over the ocean behind them. The “Sunset with Kristin” event was promoted by a Facebook group called “Find Kristin Smart,” which had grown to more than 9,600 members as of Friday night.

After the vigil, about two dozen supporters traveled to Arroyo Grande to hold a second vigil and demonstration outside a home where Paul Flores once lived. Flores was the last person reportedly seen with Smart and remains a “person of interest” in her disappearance, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Neighbors called the Arroyo Grande Police Department, complaining the protesters were too loud. Sgt. Shane Day said officers went to the street and asked the group to leave, which they eventually did.

This story was originally published September 10, 2016 at 12:15 AM with the headline "Supporters hold candlelight vigil for Kristin Smart."