The last time Kristin Smart was seen she was returning to her dorm room at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. It was May 1996.
For years, the authorities and her family searched for her but could uncover few clues. It was as if she had disappeared. She was declared legally dead in 2002.
This week, 20 years after the 19-year-old went missing, authorities in California said they had uncovered “items of interest” after excavating an area of the college campus.
“Items of interest have been recovered and are now being analysed,” the sheriff's office said in a statement. It did not disclose what items were found.
Investigators focused on a hillside area of the campus after “a comprehensive review of the entire case” and after FBI dogs trained in identifying human remains were brought in from Virginia in January, Sheriff Ian Parkinson told reporters, according to NBC.
“We’re not sure where this is going to take us,” said Mr Parkinson. “Obviously, we want to be as optimistic as possible and we hope this leads us to either Kristin or evidence of Kristin.”
The excavation was timed to avoid the presence of students on campus, he said. The school’s summer term ended on September 2 and the autumn session begins on September 15.
The teenager was returning from the party with fellow student and friend, Paul Flores. The Associated Press said Mr Flores had been the subject of several police inquires but had never been charged in connection with her disappearance. In 2007, police dug up a back patio at Mr Flores' home in Arroyo Grande, but found nothing.
The items discoverd this week were discovered on a hillside near a large concrete letter “P” that is a landmark of the school, located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In a statement, the Smart family said they welcomed the search.
“We have been hoping, praying and waiting for the last twenty years for the return of our daughter,” it said.
Jim Murphy, a lawyer representing the Smart family, told reporters that while this week’s dig is progress in the case, he was fearful it may lead to another dead end.
“It’s always bittersweet. More interest, a dig, a lead…most of the time they haven't led anywhere,” hey said. “But I know there are answers out there. And I think the family is going to keep looking, just as my office is going to keep looking.”
Ms Smarts parents, Stan and Denise Smart, said that although they were requesting privacy they were beyond grateful for the efforts to find their daughter.
Dogs trained to detect old human remains identified the locations of the dig in January. The location was disclosed because of its high visibility, but the other sites were being kept secret.
“We do not want to tip our hat to the possible suspect or suspects out there,” Mr Parkinson said.
