POCAHONTAS, AR — A former Arkansas state lawmaker was found dead in her home this week and authorities said they’re investigating her death as a homicide. A body was found around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday at the Pocahontas home of former state Sen. Linda Collins-Smith, Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell told reporters this week.
Authorities initially couldn’t tell who the person was due to the state of the body, he said, and an autopsy would determine the identification of the body as well as a cause of death. Arkansas State Police on Thursday told media outlets the remains belonged to Collins-Smith.
A judge has ordered documents and statements obtained by police to remain sealed. Information on potential suspects wasn’t immediately released.
Ken Yang, former press secretary for Collins-Smith, told NBC News that neighbors heard gunfire before her death and that Collins-Smith hadn’t posted on social media for days despite an active presence.
The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported, citing property records, the home she lived in is owned by her former husband, Philip Smith, who retired in December 2017 as a circuit judge. Smith received a public reprimand in February 2019 in which he agreed not to continue serving in the judiciary after admitting during divorce litigation that he improperly used computer equipment after regular work hours at the office and engaged in “extrajudicial activities.”
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Collins-Smith, 57, switched from a Democrat to a Republican in 2011. She served in the state House of Representatives, representing District 80, from 2011 to 2013 and was then elected to the state senate in 2014, representing District 19. The District has a population of about 79,000 and includes Independence, Izard and Sharp, as well as sections of Fulton and Randolph counties.
Collins-Smith was defeated in the GOP primary last year by current state Sen. James Sturch.
While running for office, Collins-Smith expressed staunch support for repealing Obamacare, reducing government restrictions, defending the Second Amendment and opposing abortion.
Government officials took to Twitter to express their condolences, with Gov. Asa Hutchinson writing Wednesday that he was “stunned and saddened” to learn of her death.
“She was a good person who served in the public arena with passion and conviction,” wrote Hutchinson. “The First Lady and I extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin wrote that he was shocked and heartbroken.
“I am heartbroken for her family & friends as they grieve, & my thoughts & prayers are w/ them during this tragic time. Linda was a friend who had a deep faith in God & passion for her state & nation. She is missed,” wrote Griffin.
The Republican Party of Arkansas said Collins-Smith was a “passionate voice for her people” and a close member of the GOP family.
“We are praying for her loved ones during this difficult time,” the organization tweeted.