November 4, 2024 | By: Ian Cork

This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class.

On a sunny day in 1973, in the mountainside town of Coachella, California, Pauline Smith moved into a small house with hope and excitement. This day would mark the beginning of a chapter in her life that would leave a lasting impact. Less than a month later, she met Jose Daiz Flores, a young man living on the same street as her.

Pauline was just 14 years old when she first met Jose, who was 18 at the time. They attended the same school and hung out frequently. Despite the age difference, Pauline says, “It took us maybe 2 or 3 weeks before we started dating.” It wasn’t long before the realities of adulthood set in. Within a year of meeting, they had their first child, Marlene. Pauline struggled to juggle all the responsibilities of motherhood and her studies. Pauline faced the challenges of raising Marlene largely on her own. She recalls sleepless nights, diaper changes, and the financial burden of supporting her child. It was a challenging time for Pauline, who sacrificed a lot for her children.

A few years passed, and Pauline and Jose added another member to their family, a baby girl they named Monica. The birth of their second child was one of their happiest memories. Jose supported her during the labor, and she felt like he was truly there for her and their second daughter. Those who knew Jose testified to his good qualities. Pauline, Marlene, and family members could not deny that he was a hard worker and a dedicated father who was able to provide. Marlene remembers her father’s sense of humor. “I remember him always laughing and cracking jokes,” she said. He might not have been a perfect partner or father, but he had qualities that were important to those who loved him.

In the fall of 1995, tragedy struck the Flores family. Marlene received a phone call from her aunt that would shatter their world. Her father, Jose Flores, had been murdered. The violence of that day – Thursday, October 12, 1995 – had unfolded late at night in Delano, California, just north of Bakersfield. The Delano Police Department was called to what was formerly known as the Sundance Inn. A violent assault had occurred inside the manager’s office, and the responding officer noted signs of a struggle. Jose Flores had been beaten and left in critical condition. He was rushed to Delano Regional Hospital, where medical professionals fought to save his life. After hours of battling for survival, he was pronounced dead.

Police later determined that Jose had been chased by four male individuals into the manager’s office. The assault had taken place while he was with the manager, who recounted the events. “The four male subjects caught Mr. Flores inside of the office and began punching and kicking him,” she said. The attackers then calmly exited the building and left in a beige vehicle parked in the lot.

Marlene, his daughter, was left devastated by the loss of her father, and she still cannot accept that her father’s murderers remained unpunished. She is determined to find justice for him and believes that those responsible could still be apprehended. She has sought answers and help from the authorities and has spent countless hours doing research of her own. She has since reached out to multiple cold sase organizations in hopes that somebody will have more information.

Pauline, too, was affected deeply by Jose’s death. He had been her first love, and the news of his murder left her heartbroken. She began to suspect that the murder was not a random act of violence. Pauline believes that the attackers may have been motivated by jealousy or anger. Her feelings were a complex mix of sorrow and anger regarding the loss of Jose and the tragic events that led to his death.

“This was handled poorly by the detectives; they shoved it under the rug,” Pauline said. Marlene agreed with her mother and said she is frustrated with the lack of progress in her father’s case. “I think his murder has been unsolved to this day because I feel the detectives in his case have not done their job,” she said. “They let so many years go by, and now it’s just sitting in a computer case file.”

In the quest for justice, the Flores family has remained committed to keeping Jose’s memory alive. They refuse to let the world forget about him and the injustice of his unsolved murder. While the pain of losing him has never truly subsided, they have taken solace in remembering Jose as a dedicated, hardworking, proud, and humorous man who touched their lives in so many ways.

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Anyone with information concerning Jose Diaz Flores’s unsolved homicide is asked to call the Delano Police Department Tip Line at (661) 721-3369. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, call Crime Stoppers USA at (800) 222-TIPS.

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