Born Smith Pleads to Murder of Aliss Collins

CRANSTON, RI — Aliss Collins was bludgeoned to death in her Cranston apartment on Nov. 13, 2015. She was eight months pregnant when she was slain. According to Atty. Gen. Peter Kilmartin, Born Smith, 31, was the baby's father and the same man who killed her and then set her apartment on fire to cover up the crime. On Thursday, Smith, of Providence, pleaded guilty in Superior Court to murder and arson.

He was sentenced to life in prison on each count, with the terms to serve concurrently.

“Aliss Collins had much to look forward to when her life – and that of her unborn child – were taken by violence by the defendant,” said Kilmartin. “Today’s plea marks just over two years since this terrible crime shattered the lives of Aliss’ family, yet there is no amount of time sufficient to understand or accept the loss they experienced.”

According to court records, Cranston crews went to 35-37 Marcy St., around 7:45 p.m. for a possible structure fire at that address. They found fire on the third floor. Then they discovered Aliss lying on the bathroom floor suffering from severe head injuries. She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

According to the autopsy, the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, smoke inhalation, and carbon monoxide. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.

Arson investigators determined that the fire was set deliberately at approximately the same time as the murder.

"Cranston police recovered several pieces of evidence that were tied to the defendant and these crimes," Kilmartin's office said. "A fire extinguisher, identified by the owner of the building as having been located outside of the third-floor apartment, was found on the second floor of the building. It was covered in blood that was identified as the victim’s and the defendant’s palm print was found on the extinguisher in the blood. A work phone assigned to the defendant was found in the entry foyer of the residence. Cell phone records placed the defendant’s cell phone in the Cranston Area at the time of the incident and a person matching the general description of the defendant was observed leaving the residence as the fire was discovered."

Image via Shutterstock