Former Campaign Staffer Held In Shooting Death Of Ex-Arkansas State Senator

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Former Campaign Staffer Held After Ex-Arkansas State Senator Dies

A bizarre story is emerging out of Arkansas. Former Senator Linda Collins-Smith died earlier this month and her former campaign staffer/friend was arrested in connection with it. Rebecca Lynn O’Donnell, 48, of Pocahontas, Arkansas, is currently in custody and charges are pending, police said reports CBS News.

Collins-Smith’s former communications director, Ken Yang, told CBS Little Rock affiliate KTHV O’Donnell was a friend of the late senator and had worked on her most recent campaign. Her arrest is especially shocking because O’Donnell changed her profile picture to a photo of herself with Collins-Smith in the days following her passing.

In a statement, Collins-Smith’s family said they were “sickened and upset that someone so close to Linda would be involved in such a terrible, heartless crime,” reports CBS.

No further details about the circumstances of the arrest, or a possible motive, have been released.

The second time in recent weeks we’ve reported a story about someone killing a close friend.

A probable cause hearing for O’Donnell is scheduled for today.