Thanks to the renewed interest in the case of missing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart, an Arroyo Grande sign shop has donated a new billboard in hopes to solve the case.
Brand Creative West co-owner Justin Crockett printed the new poster that stands along 221 East Branch Street.
The previous billboard was more than 20 years old and had become outdated.
"We had been following the Your Own Backyard [podcast]," Crockett said. "We were in a position to freshen up the sign and wanted to help out Stan and Denise Smart."
The new sign was installed over the weekend.
The podcast, "Your Own Backyard," by Chris Lambert has created renewed interest of the case. Smart disappeared May 25, 1996 while attending Cal Poly.
She was legally presumed dead in 2002, but her body was never found. Authorities still consider it an open case despite years of no new information has been released from the investigation.
"Everyone wants the case to be solved and bring Kristin home," Crockett said. "That's why we did this."
The sign would usually cost several hundred dollars to make.
Brand Creative West also has bumper stickers available. In the coming months, the goal is to yard signs, bracelets, and pins alongside the group Warriors for Kristin.
"Anyway we can help, we want to help. Obviously this is a small community," he said. "Hopefully the next sign I put up is 'Case Solved.'"
Related: Creator of "Your Own Backyard" speaks with sheriff investigators, regarding Kristin Smart case
