Dateline NBC: What was the alleged motive behind Linda Collins' murder?

The stabbing death of Linda Collins in 2019 shocked the state of Arkansas as her best friend, Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell, was found to be behind the heinous act. Collins was found in the driveway of her Pochahontas home, stabbed to death, and covered with a tarp.

The investigations alleged that the reason behind the betrayal of friendship and the motive behind the murder were financial issues. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that the prosecutors alleged that Rebecca killed Linda for pecuniary gain and to avoid arrest.

The Dateline episode titled The Hands of a Killer showcases the brutal murder of Linda Collins as the episode airs on NBC on July 12, 2024, at 9 pm EST. The official synopsis reads:

"When former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins is found fatally stabbed outside her home, detectives investigate if her murder is connected to her political career or her personal life; the victim's children speak out about the case."

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Why did Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell kill Linda Collins?

Episode 21 of season 30 of Dateline showcases the harrowing murder of Linda Collins as she was stabbed to death multiple times sometime in May 2019. Linda's family conducted a welfare check to find her body in an advanced state of decomposition.

According to ABC News, the investigators obtained security footage from the company to find shocking footage of Collins' best friend and campaign worker, Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell, destroying surveillance cameras and at one point, with a bloody knife in her hand.

As other evidence pointed toward her, Linda's son, Butch Smith, shared in a statement that Rebecca had stolen money from his mother, per Oxygen. He alleged that Rebecca had allegedly snapped and killed after Linda discovered the theft. As investigators looked into the angle, they found records of the sale of gold and silver at two different businesses in 2018.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Philip Smith mentioned to the officers that Collins allegedly had $24,000 worth of gold and silver. The divorce decree between Linda and Philip dated September 12, 2018, noted the valuation.

Additionally, a report by K8 News suggested that the affidavit for an application on a search warrant mentioned:

“Rebecca O’Donnell also stated that she has forged the signature of Linda Collins Smith numerous times while filling out checks from the bank account of Linda Collins Smith.”

The affidavit continued:

“It is reasonable to conclude that banking documents such as checks, receipts and other financial records are kept in the home and since Ms. O’Donnell has admitted to forging checks on the Linda Collins Smith account evidence related to those transactions could be located in the O’Donnell residence.”

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Robert Dittrich, the special prosecutor, filed a notice to the Randolph County Circuit Court, mentioning that the crime was committed for pecuniary gain and to avoid an arrest.

On the same note, Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell started believing that Rebecca had been stealing from Linda and alleged that she may have reached a point where she realized there was no other way out of the situation.

Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell took a plea deal and was sentenced to 50 years in prison, per ABC News. She maintained innocence behind bars and stuck pictures of Linda on her prison wall.

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Catch all the details about Collins' murder as the Dateline episode airs on NBC on Friday.