← Back to United States casesLinda Collins-Smith Murdered by Becky O'Donnell, Pocahontas, Arkansas, United States
Case Summary
Linda Collins-Smith, an Arkansas businesswoman and former state senator, was found dead at her Pocahontas home on June 4, 2019, after disappearing from contact on May 28. An autopsy identified multiple stab wounds and established May 28 as the date of death. Investigators initially examined her ex-husband, Phil Smith, and romantic partner, Randal Wallis, but both reportedly had alibis. Suspicion later focused on Linda's personal assistant and close friend, Becky O'Donnell, after investigators identified unexplained withdrawals exceeding $50,000 from Linda's father's account, missing security cameras, surveillance footage showing a person resembling Becky, and footage of a bloody knife being concealed. Becky was charged, later reportedly confessed to Tim Lugins, and pleaded guilty in August 2020 to intentionally killing Linda and concealing her body. She received a 50-year prison sentence.
Basic Information
Country: United States
State/Province: Arkansas, United States
City/Region: Pocahontas
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Unknown
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: May 28, 2019
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Arranged marriage
- Friends circle
- Childhood connection
Relationship Stages:
- Married Living Together
- Separated
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Financial Issues
- Domestic Conflict
- Money / Financial Gain
- Divorce / Separation
Red Flags:
- Secretive communication patterns
- Unexplained spending or money transfers
- Financial secrecy
- Discovery of suspicious emails
- Deception after incident
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Suspects identified
Motives:
- Money / Financial Gain
- Fear of exposure
Relationship Outcomes:
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide before divorce
- Arrest made
- Weapon recovery
- Deadbody recovery
Source Video
Video hosted by YouTube · Viewer discretion advised
People Link Graph
Linda Collins-Smith Murdered by Becky O'Donnell, Pocahontas, Arkansas, United States
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Arranged marriage
- Friends circle
- Childhood connection
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Unknown
Stages
- Married Living Together
- Separated
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Secretive communication patterns
- Unexplained spending or money transfers
- Financial secrecy
- Discovery of suspicious emails
- Deception after incident
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Suspects identified
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Financial Issues
- Domestic Conflict
- Money / Financial Gain
- Divorce / Separation
- Money / Financial Gain
- Fear of exposure
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2019-05-28
Outcome
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide before divorce
- Arrest made
- Weapon recovery
- Deadbody recovery
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Financial Conflict
Pattern Analysis
The central relationship pathway involved trust between Linda and Becky as employer, assistant, close friend, and delegated financial administrator. The reported disappearance of more than $50,000, Linda's possible confrontation about the funds, and the subsequent concealment of the body and security equipment indicate a financial-conflict pattern with alleged deception and escalation into homicide. The source does not establish the precise motive beyond the family's belief that the missing money may have triggered the attack.
Investigative Notes
Linda was found under a tarp near construction materials on June 4, 2019. The autopsy reportedly identified multiple stab wounds and placed the death on May 28. Investigators examined Phil Smith and Randal Wallis, but the source reports that both had alibis and no direct evidence linked them to the killing. Investigators later identified unexplained withdrawals exceeding $50,000 from Benny Collins's account, missing cameras, postmortem access to Linda's security account, and surveillance footage showing Becky near Linda and concealing a bloody kitchen knife. Becky was charged with capital murder, abuse of a corpse, and evidence tampering. Tim Lugins was released for lack of evidence. Becky reportedly confessed to Tim before trial and pleaded guilty in August 2020, receiving a 50-year prison sentence. The source also reports later allegations that she attempted to arrange killings of Phil, a judge, and a prosecutor.
Investigation Confusion
The investigation initially focused on Phil because of the bitter divorce, financial disputes, alleged prior mercury poisoning concerns, and his loss of a judicial position. Randal was also examined because he was Linda's partner and had been present the night before her death. Both reportedly had alibis. The precise motive remained unclear, and the family's theory that Linda confronted Becky about missing money was not presented as a formally proven motive until Becky's guilty plea established her responsibility for the killing.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Linda returned from Washington on May 27 and was taken home by Becky. Linda spoke with Tate and Tim and said she would discuss the trip the next day; Randal reportedly stayed overnight. On May 28, Linda stopped answering calls and messages. Tate later requested checks by Patch and Benny, and on June 4 Benny, Patch, and family members found Linda's decomposed body near the garage. The autopsy established stabbing as the cause of death. Investigation shifted from Linda's ex-husband and partner toward Becky after financial irregularities and missing security cameras were identified. Stored surveillance footage reportedly showed Becky at the house, a covered person entering, and Becky concealing a bloody knife and removed cameras. She was arrested, charged, reportedly confessed to Tim, and pleaded guilty in August 2020.
Risk Assessment
The source describes several reported risk indicators: prior alleged harmful threats by Becky toward her former husband, a theft arrest, access to Linda's financial affairs, unexplained withdrawals, missing surveillance equipment, concealment of the body, and alleged attempts to obstruct accountability after the killing. These indicators are source-reported and do not independently establish intent before the homicide.
Key Takeaways
The case illustrates the investigative importance of unexplained financial withdrawals, trusted-access relationships, missing surveillance equipment, digital account activity after death, and inconsistencies in post-incident explanations. The source also shows how an apparently missing-person situation can become a homicide investigation when communication suddenly stops and family members notice environmental anomalies. Early suspicion of an ex-spouse did not resolve the case; digital and video evidence redirected investigators toward a trusted assistant.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
The most important early signals were Linda's abrupt loss of contact on May 28, the unusual unlocked truck, the dark stain in the kitchen, the odor near the garage, and the family's knowledge that Linda would normally respond to messages. Investigators also later identified unexplained withdrawals and missing security cameras.
Which clues helped connect the case?
The case was reportedly connected through the financial withdrawals from Benny Collins's account, handwriting that did not match Linda's, missing camera devices, alerts from Linda's security system, postmortem access to her account, and surveillance footage showing Becky at the home and handling a bloody knife.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
The strongest reported evidence was the autopsy, stored surveillance footage, the image of Becky concealing a bloody kitchen knife, financial records involving more than $50,000 in withdrawals, security-system alerts, and Becky's later guilty plea. The source also reports a confession to Tim before trial.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Tate reported that Linda's silence was highly unusual and requested welfare checks. Patch reportedly saw the truck and encountered Becky, who said she was also trying to locate Linda. Benny and Patch described the unlocked truck, dark stain, odor, and body discovery. Neighbors reportedly heard strange noises after Linda disappeared. Family members said Linda feared Phil and believed he wanted to kill her. Becky and Tim provided accounts involving Randal and Linda's communications, while investigators disputed aspects of Becky's explanation for the missing money.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Follow-up investigation shifted suspicion from Phil and Randal to Becky after financial discrepancies and missing cameras were identified. Security-provider footage reportedly showed Becky at the house, a covered person entering, and the concealment of a bloody knife. Tim was released, Becky was charged, later reportedly confessed to Tim, and ultimately pleaded guilty in August 2020.
What remained unclear?
The source does not clearly establish the exact motive, the precise sequence of the stabbing, or whether Linda's earlier mercury exposure was connected to Becky or Phil. It also reports allegations involving attempts to hire other inmates but does not provide a final legal outcome for those allegations.