A remembrance is set for Tuesday at the Arkansas State Capitol for former state Sen. Linda Collins-Smith. Her body was found last Tuesday at her home in Pocahontas and police are treating the death as a homicide.
The event is to begin at 10 a.m. on the second-floor rotunda. Her former Press Secretary Ken Yang says the remembrance will include a press conference and statement by Collins-Smith’s family. A temporary memorial is being setup on the first floor rotunda where the public can pay tribute. Flowers, cards and other items can be left and will be given to Collins-Smith’s family, Yang said.
Authorities have been tight-lipped about the investigation into her death. Neighbors reportedly heard gunshots a day or two before the body of the 57-year-old was discovered. A judge issued a gag order in the case last week sealing documents and statements obtained by police.
Collins-Smith had filed for divorce against her husband, retired Randolph County Circuit Judge Philip Smith, on Nov. 6, 2017, but had continued using the hyphonated last names. A press release announcing Tuesday's remembrance and an obituary listed only Collins as her last name.
Her funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in Pocahontas. The obituary and details on the visitation Friday and funeral Saturday can be found here.
