Chris Lambert, creator of “Your Own Backyard” podcast sat down and spoke with investigators from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.
It's something Lambert says he always intended on doing, even though the Sheriff’s Office was not included in any of the episodes in the series.
The meeting not only helped Lambert in his research, but he says he was able to bring new ideas and theories to investigators.
The podcast series is focused on the disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart, a case that's been unsolved for 23 years.
Lambert says he wasn't able to speak with the Sheriff's Office before his last episode was released, but since then he’s met with investigators.
"I'm getting tips that are like you should look in this location, and I don't want to waste a lot of time going to that location, if you're already positive that it’s been debunked," said Lambert.
Lambert says the face-to-face meeting with the Sheriff's Office helped with his research and he believes some of the information he’s received has helped investigators.
"There were also things that I was able to bring to them that they were like how did you get this, how could we follow up on this, and so they were really receptive. They said that the podcast is adding a lot of value to their investigation and they're following up on leads that I brought to them," said Lambert.
Lambert says since the podcast has come out, he's been getting about 20 to 30 tips each day from people across the country.
As he continues his research, phone calls, and interviews, Lambert says the Sheriff's Office helped answer his questions on what they’re doing to solve this case.
"What I was hoping to do was clear up any conspiracy theories, surrounding what's going on, are they really helping? At this point, I believe they really are, I believe they're actively trying to find Kristin and close this case," said Lambert.
Lambert says after speaking with the Sheriff's Office and seeing the momentum build as people continue to talk about Kristin Smart and her case, he believes the case could be resolved soon.
"I've just had this constant fantasy almost, that I'm going to wake up to a press conference at some point, where they say, we've recovered Kristin Smart, and that is the ultimate goal," said Lambert.
KSBY spoke with Stan Smart, Kristin's father, and he said the podcast has brought his daughter's case back to light and it's good for people to know that the case is still on-going.
He says while he hasn't found his daughter yet, the family is very thankful the work Lambert and the podcast has done in trying to get it resolved.
Lambert says he thinks there will be new episodes in the future as he is continuing to work daily on this case.
