‘Dateline NBC’: Who killed Linda Collins? Security camera unveils shocking murder-mystery of Arkansas woman
POCAHONTAS, ARKANSAS: In June 2019, the quiet town of Pocahontas was rocked by a shocking crime that gripped the nation's attention: the murder of Linda Collins. Linda Collins, a former Arkansas state senator and prominent figure in her community, was found dead in her own driveway, her body bearing stab wounds. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community, as the politician who had been living alone was killed by someone very close to her.
The case unfolded with twists and revelations, shedding light on the dark motives behind the crime and culminating in a sentence of 50 years in prison for Rebecca O'Donnel, who was later linked to the case. Surprisingly, Rebecca was also Linda's close friend and the fact that the murder took place in a house surrounded by nine security cameras shook the investigators too. 'Dateline NBC' sheds light on the case again, this Friday, in an episode titled, 'The Hands of a Killer'.
Who was Linda Collins?
Linda F Collins, born on April 17, 1962, was an American businesswoman and politician who served as a Republican member of the Arkansas Senate from 2015 to 2019. Born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, Linda grew up in a financially struggling family, living in a home without running water until her teenage years. This humble upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and a belief in the American dream.
Before entering politics, Collins worked as a real estate agent and later owned and operated the Days Inn in Pocahontas. She was known for her entrepreneurial spirit and community involvement. Collins entered politics in 2014, winning a seat in the Arkansas Senate, where she served for a single term. In June 2019, tragedy struck when Linda Collins was found murdered at her home.
Linda Collin’s body was found on her driveway in 2019
Linda Collins's body was discovered in a disturbing state in June 2019. Her son and father, worried after not hearing from her for some time, went to her home in Pocahontas, Arkansas, to check on her. They found her car in the driveway and the house locked, but no one answered the door. Upon entering, they noticed a dark stain on the kitchen floor, initially mistaken for spilled coffee but later identified as blood.
Upon further searching, Linda's son Butch found her body covered by a tarp in the driveway. The condition of her body was advanced, indicating she had been murdered for some time before being found. The discovery shocked her family and the community, prompting an immediate investigation by local law enforcement. Investigators quickly determined that Linda Collins had been stabbed to death.
Linda Collins’s ex husband Phil Smith became prime suspect in the murder case
Linda Collins's ex-husband, Phil Smith, initially became a suspect in her murder due to the circumstances surrounding their messy divorce and financial disputes. The investigation into Linda's death revealed tensions related to their divorce, due to tension because of significant financial assets.
However, as the investigation progressed and evidence was gathered, including crucial security camera footage from Linda's home, Phil Smith's involvement was ruled out. The footage, which had initially been tampered with and removed by the actual perpetrator, ultimately exonerated Phil Smith. The video showed Rebecca O'Donnell at the scene, holding a bloody knife and tampering with evidence.
Who was Linda Collins’s BFF Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell?
Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell was initially known as a close friend of Linda Collins. They met through mutual friends in their local community in Pocahontas, Arkansas. Their friendship grew over time, over shared interests and personal connections.
Linda Collins, a prominent figure in Arkansas politics and business, had a circle of friends and supporters, of which Rebecca O'Donnell was a part. They bonded over shared activities and interests, including political events and community gatherings. Their friendship was considered strong enough that Linda Collins trusted Rebecca O'Donnell as a close confidante and campaign worker during her political career. However, this close relationship took a tragic turn when Rebecca O'Donnell was charged and later convicted of Linda Collins's murder.
Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell gets arrested in Linda Collins’s murder case
Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell was shockingly arrested in connection with the murder of Linda Collins. The arrest came after a series of investigations pointed towards O'Donnell as a suspect in the case. After Linda Collins's body was discovered in June 2019, investigators quickly began looking into potential suspects. Rebecca O'Donnell, as a close friend and confidante of Collins, immediately became a person of interest due to her proximity to the victim and her involvement in Collins's personal and professional life.
Investigators gathered evidence that pointed towards O'Donnell's involvement in the crime, which linked her to the scene of the crime. On June 17, 2019, Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell was formally charged with capital murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. Initially, O'Donnell pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining her innocence. However, as the case progressed and more evidence was presented, including potentially damning security camera footage from Linda Collins's home, the prosecution built a strong case against her.
Why did Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell kill BFF Linda Collins?
Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell killed her friend Linda Collins due to financial motivations and a dispute over money, as O'Donnell had been allegedly stealing money from Collins over a period of time. This dispute escalated as Collins likely discovered the theft and confronted O'Donnell about it. O'Donnell's financial situation was also reportedly dire, and she resorted to stealing from Collins, possibly from a joint business venture or personal funds.
Furthermore, the tension between O'Donnell and Collins intensified when the theft was uncovered. In a desperate attempt to silence Collins and possibly to continue benefiting from the stolen funds or to prevent exposure and legal consequences, O'Donnell resorted to murder.
Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell charged with 50 years in prison
Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of Linda Collins. O'Donnell initially pleaded not guilty to charges of capital murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. However, she later changed her plea to guilty, admitting to intentionally killing Linda Collins and hiding her body.
During the court proceedings, O'Donnell confessed that she went to Collins' home with the intention to kill her and subsequently concealed the crime. This admission played a crucial role in her sentencing. After pleading guilty to murder, Rebecca O'Donnell was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day