At 1:39 pm Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell along with investigator Brant Tosh of the Arkansas State Police gave a brief statement and did not take any questions.

Sheriff Bell thanked the media for their patience and confirmed that an unidentified female body , at former state senator Linda Collins-Smith residence was discovered Tuesday night. The sheriff stated that upon discovery the Randolph County Sheriff’s department secured the crime scene and requested assistance from ASP and forensic help from the Arkansas State crime laboratory.

He then announced that Judge Harold Erwin of the 3rd judicial district has issued a gag order prohibiting further comment at this time.

The article below was issued from third judicial district Henry Boyce’s office …..

Body Found in Randolph County

On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, the dead body of a female was discovered at the residence of former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins-Smith.  The condition of the body prevented any immediate positive identification.  The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at around 5:45 p.m. and immediately began securing the crime scene.  The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Unit was dispatched to the scene along with forensic examiners from the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock.  

​The body has been sent for autopsy to determine positive identity and cause of death.

​Third Judicial District Circuit Judge Harold Erwin has issued an Order sealing the documents and statements obtained by police during the pendency of this investigation.