On a tragic day in Lepanto, Arkansas, the life of 39-year-old Ashley Lynn Rawls Smith came to a devastating end. On the morning of Friday, June 28, 2024, law enforcement was dispatched to a home on Marlene Drive after a distressing 911 call reported the discovery of two bodies. Inside the residence, authorities found Ms. Smith and a man, later identified as 44-year-old Justin Wiggins, both of whom were deceased.
The Poinsett County Sheriff's Office, assisting the Lepanto Police Department, secured the area and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
As the investigation progressed, it was determined that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. Both Ms. Smith and Mr. Wiggins were residents of Lepanto, and their bodies were transported to the Arkansas Medical Examiner's office for further examination. While the authorities have not publicly specified the exact sequence of events or the motive, the Poinsett County Sheriff assured the community that there was no ongoing threat to public safety, indicating that the incident was contained within the residence. The case has been characterized by the violent nature of their deaths, with at least one of the individuals succumbing to gun violence. No arrests have been made, as the incident involved a murder-suicide, and there are no outstanding suspects. The investigation remains with the Poinsett County Sheriff's Office.
