Authorities in Arkansas are investigating after a former state senator was reportedly found shot to death in her home on Tuesday night.
KATV reported that Linda Collins-Smith’s body was found wrapped in some sort of blanket at her Pocahontas home. Her former press secretary, Ken Yang, claimed neighbors heard gunfire a day or two before her body was found.
Arkansas State Police public information officer Bill Sadler confirmed to KAIT that Collins-Smith’s death is being investigated as a homicide.
Collins-Smith, 57, who switched from Democrat to Republican in 2011, lost her re-election bid last year. The Arkansas Times reported that she divorced her husband, retired Circuit Judge Philip Smith, in October 2018.
The news outlet reported that the former senator’s body was decomposed, making it difficult for authorities to identify her.
Randall County sheriff Kevin Bell told KAIT that they don’t believe the public’s in danger.
I am shocked and in tears. That’s my friend, Linda has always been there for me! I’m speechless…Former State Senator @Linda4Senate was found dead this evening in her home. Reports say it appears to be murder. #arpx #arleg #ARnews pic.twitter.com/tHOXY5MZFZ
— Ken Yang (@kenyangAR) June 5, 2019
[Featured image: Linda Collins-Smith/Twitter]
