GUILTY AR - Former State Senator, Linda Collins-Smith, 57, found dead, June 2019 *ARREST*

[bubblepup]

Former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins-Smith, 57,
is found dead from a gunshot wound wrapped in a blanket
inside her home as police launch a murder investigation

• Linda Collins-Smith's body was discovered in her home in Pocohontas Tuesday
• Neighbors said they heard gunshots a day or two before Collins-Smith was found
• Sources said her body had decomposed, which made it difficult to identify
• She was married to former Circuit Court Judge Philip Smith but divorced in 2018
• As a state senator, Collins-Smith introduced or co-sponsored multiple bills seeking to expand the places where concealed weapons could be carried
• Collins-Smith was also owner and operator of Days Inn and Suites in Pocohontas

 

[kirkassoc]

Former State Senator Linda Collins-Smith Found Dead, Death Being Investigated as a Possible Murder


Former Arkansas State Sen Linda Collins-Smith, a conservative Republican and a staunch supporter of gun rights, has been found shot dead in her home.

According to her Twitter bio, Collins-Smith identified as a “Christian Conservative; Pro-Life, Business, Family, Guns, Veterans, Better Education & Patriot.”

 

[bubblepup]

In 2017, Collins-Smith introduced Senate Bill 774, the Arkansas Physical Privacy and Safety Act which would limit transgender individuals in the use of government facilities that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates.

Linda Collins-Smith - Wikipedia

 

[Hatfield]

Interesting case.

JMO
In the news article there is not much to go on as far as who could have done this although I think LE already has someone in mind that they are looking at.

"Authorities said they do not believe the public is in danger."

Her divorce was only a year ago and she has a shared business with that person so that keeps her having to always be in contact with that other person.

I think LE is looking at someone that had close ties to her. Whether that be a new recent relationship or the one she is tied to because of the business.

ETA - Oh and the fact that her body was wrapped in a blanket is a sign that someone close to her was most likely involved. Because I doubt a random intruder would take the time to wrap her body in a blanket before leaving. The blanket is a sign that the perp was someone close to her.

Sometimes random perps will use a rug or blanket to wrap a body to remove the body and take it to a car but in this case the body was left in her home so that points to the perp was someone close to her that was sticking around for a period of time after the killing and the perp did not want to see the victim's face or body because it was disturbing to them so they used a personal blanket to cover the body until they cleaned up and did whatever else they were going to do and finally left.

Former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins-Smith found shot dead | Daily Mail Online

 

[cody22]

Marking spot.....moo

 

[bubblepup]

The ex- was reprimanded earlier this year for unauthorized use of gov't computers in the divorce case with the deceased:

Retired Arkansas judge accepts reprimand, ineligibility to serve in judiciary

 

[Sulamith]

Following

 

[bubblepup]

Matt Mershon‏ Verified account @MattMershonKATV

NEW: Just told by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department there will NOT be a press conference held regarding the Linda Collins-Smith investigation today.

A gag-order has reportedly been issued by the local prosecuting attorney.

 

[LaborDayRN]

.

 

[kirkassoc]

The ex- was reprimanded earlier this year for unauthorized use of gov't computers in the divorce case with the deceased:

Retired Arkansas judge accepts reprimand, ineligibility to serve in judiciary

I just wonder who disclosed the information relating to his crime resulting in LIFELONG ineligibility to serve judiciary (according to article)? The plot thickens? Following closely.

ETA: Also noted in this article - the answer to the above question:
During divorce litigation with the Randolph County Circuit Court, Smith said under oath that he improperly used court computer equipment after regular work hours at the office, according to a Commission document.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

What struck me was that the neighbors heard gunshots just a few days ago and yet the body was already decomposed. Even if the weather was warm, wouldn't it take longer to decompose than just a few days? Which opens the possibility that she was killed earlier, and then someone added gunshots later in order to confuse the investigative timeline. Unlikely but possible, I suppose.

 

[enelram]

She still lived in the home co-owned with her ex, the judge.
See comments in this article that says there were still issues
unresolved in her divorce.
Hmm, can we guess where this is leading?
Former Sen. Linda Collins-Smith reported fatally shot in Pocahontas - Arkansas Times

 

[enelram]

What struck me was that the neighbors heard gunshots just a few days ago and yet the body was already decomposed. Even if the weather was warm, wouldn't it take longer to decompose than just a few days? Which opens the possibility that she was killed earlier, and then someone added gunshots later in order to confuse the investigative timeline. Unlikely but possible, I suppose.

It's been in mid 90's for last few weeks- hot and dry- so decomposition would be happening quickly. Also one article I saw said she was found outside in yard. If so, that would speed up decomp w/ flies and insects.

 

[bubblepup]

Now it's appearing as, yes, there will be a presser. Which lasted a very short time and consisted of someone reading a statement that all documents related to this case are now sealed.

 

[kirkassoc]

Now it's appearing as, yes, there will be a presser. Which lasted a very short time and consisted of someone reading a statement that all documents related to this case are now sealed.

For some reason, this does not surprise me. MOO, there is MUCH more here than meets the eye. His entire career is destroyed, and she is dead. My oh my.

 

[bubblepup]

Questions are mounting around the mysterious death of former Arkansas State Sen Linda Collins-Smith after a judge imposed a gag order on the release of all documents associated with the investigation.

Ken Yang, Collins-Smith's former press secretary, confirmed her death on Tuesday night and said it is being investigated as a murder.

During a very brief press conference held on Wednesday afternoon, Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell said that decomposed human remains were discovered inside the residence at 4023 Arkansas Highway 90 West belonging to Collins-Smith, but he did not say the 57-year-old former state senator is the victim.

Former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins-Smith found shot dead

 

[JrzyGirl70]

Following

 

[bubblepup]

Divorce records showed disputes over a large sum of money and property the couple owned. Observers described the divorce as bitter.

Collins-Smith’s former communications director Ken Yang said the ex-legislator was a mother and had been planning to help on upcoming 2020 campaigns.

He said people became concerned when her social media presence abruptly dropped off at the end of May, a stark contrast to frequent posts she’d usually make.​

Documents confirm death of former Arkansas senator; autopsy ordered in homicide case

 

[scapa]

Certainly looks like motive might be found close-ish to home.

Perhaps O/T, but wasn't she a (very conservative) Democrat who then switched parties? I seem to recall reading about her a few years ago in a piece about conservative lawmakers who switched from blue to red.

 

[Tighthead]

I just wonder who disclosed the information relating to his crime resulting in LIFELONG ineligibility to serve judiciary (according to article)? The plot thickens? Following closely.

ETA: Also noted in this article - the answer to the above question:
During divorce litigation with the Randolph County Circuit Court, Smith said under oath that he improperly used court computer equipment after regular work hours at the office, according to a Commission document.

Crime?