Former Arkansas Senator Murdered In Home

A former Arkansas State Senator was found murdered in her home in Pocahonas Tuesday night, just two days after the neighbors heard gunshots, but didn’t report it.

Linda Collins-Smith’s decomposed body was discovered wrapped in a blanket.

The Arkansas State Police would not confirm the death, but a large police presence and the county coroner were seen at the home.

Collins-Smith, a former Democrat, was defeated for re-election in 2018. She divorced from her husband, retired Circuit Judge Philip Smith, in October 2018.

Collins-Smith was an avid supporter of guns. She introduced several pieces of legislation to expand where concealed weapons could be carried, including on college campuses and in courtrooms. As she told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on during her re-election campaign: “You can’t be pro-gun enough in Arkansas.”

No arrests have been made.