On July 30, 2025, Arkansas State Police arrested 28-year-old James Andrew McGann in connection with the brutal killing of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, a married couple who were hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park in northwest Arkansas. The horrific incident occurred on Saturday, July 26, 2025, along the Devil’s Den Trail, a 1.5-mile loop known for its rugged terrain and scenic beauty in the 2,500-acre state park near West Fork, approximately 140 miles northwest of Little Rock.
The Brinks, who had recently relocated to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from South Dakota, were found dead on the trail in what authorities are investigating as a double homicide. Their daughters, ages 7 and 9, were unharmed and are now safe with family members. According to dispatch recordings, the children reported the assault to park staff at the visitor center, indicating that one of their parents may have been stabbed. The Brink family released a statement describing the couple as “heroes” who died protecting their little girls, emphasizing their devotion as parents and their lasting impact on their community.
McGann, a Springdale resident who had recently moved to the area, was apprehended at Lupita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop in Springdale, about 30 miles north of the park, at 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday. The arrest followed a five-day manhunt, aided significantly by public tips and video footage, including trail camera recordings and submissions from as far away as Washington state. Authorities had previously released a composite sketch and a photo of a person of interest, described as a white male with a medium build, wearing a long-sleeved shirt with rolled-up sleeves, dark pants, a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, a black backpack, and fingerless gloves. The suspect was believed to have fled the park in a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with its license plate partially covered by tape, traveling on State Highway 170 or 220.
McGann faces two counts of capital murder and is currently being held at the Washington County jail. It remains unclear when his first court appearance will occur, and no attorney has been identified for him at this time. Investigators have not disclosed a motive for the killings or the specific manner of the Brinks’ deaths, as the case remains active, and the victims’ bodies have been sent to the state crime lab for further examination. Colonel Stacie Rhoads, commander of the Arkansas State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division, noted that the public’s assistance was instrumental in capturing McGann, while Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders emphasized the state’s commitment to justice, stating, “If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state, our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice, because that’s what the people of Arkansas frankly deserve.”
McGann had been recently hired by Springdale Public Schools but had not yet started his position or interacted with students, according to district superintendent Jared Cleveland. Prior to moving to Arkansas, McGann worked as a fifth-grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, during the 2023-2024 academic year, and before that, as a fourth-grade teacher at Donald Elementary School in Flower Mound, Texas. Reports from former colleagues and parents describe him as reserved and disengaged, with one parent alleging inappropriate behavior toward female students, though he passed required background checks for his teaching positions.
The Brinks’ deaths have left their family and community in mourning. Clinton Brink was set to begin a new job as a milk delivery driver for Hiland Dairy in the Fayetteville area on July 28, having transferred from the company’s South Dakota location. Cristen Brink, a licensed nurse who had studied at Miles Community College in Montana and California State University in San Bernardino, was remembered as a selfless and caring individual who, along with her husband, fostered a strong sense of community. Friends recalled their kindness, such as offering childcare and organizing recreational activities like volleyball in their previous home in Miles City, Montana.
The tragedy has prompted increased law enforcement presence at Arkansas state parks, with all trails at Devil’s Den remaining closed until further notice. A verified GoFundMe campaign, initiated by the Brink family, has raised funds to cover funeral expenses and support the couple’s daughters. The family continues to seek privacy as they grieve, urging anyone with information to contact the Arkansas State Police tip line at (479) 751-6663. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on securing justice for Clinton and Cristen Brink, whose lives were cut short in a senseless act of violence.
