More information has come from the Newton County Sheriffs Office in Arkansas about Nicholas Collins, the Garwin man whose body was found earlier this week.  Evidence shows Collins died from suicide. The car Collins had been driving was located in the edge of Johnson County at the Arbaugh Trailhead on the Ozark Highlands Trail a few days ago.

Sheriff Tom Hughes in Johnson County informed Sheriff Glenn Wheeler in Newton County that a body believed to be Collins had been located just inside Newton County. The body was located in a very steep, rugged and remote area of the Ozark National Forest, approximately 1,760 feet inside Newton County, but approximately 1.7 miles from the trailhead. The discovery was made by an Arkansas State Trooper assigned to their Emergency Response Team (ERT) which is a specially trained team that responds to many things outside the normal duties of a Trooper and often assists on Search and Rescues.

Investigators confirmed that the person located was Collins who had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Other evidence at the scene also indicated the death was a suicide. Nearly 40 personnel from at least 12 organizations were involved in just the recovery carry-out part of the mission, which took several hours. Resources used included many ground searchers on foot, helicopters, various specialty K9s, drones, GPS tracking technology and more.

Sheriff Wheeler said, “I hate that this turned out like it did, but I am glad we are able to provide some answers to a family that has been without answers for what I can only imagine were a very long couple of weeks. Our prayers and condolences go out to them.

Zach Tomesch, News Director KFJB