On Saturday, July 26, 2025, a tragic double homicide shook the serene trails of Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork, Arkansas, claiming the lives of Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 41. The couple was hiking with their two young daughters, ages 7 and 9, on the Devil’s Den Trail, a 1.5-mile loop known for its rugged terrain and scenic beauty, when they were brutally attacked. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) have since released a composite sketch of a person of interest in the case, intensifying a manhunt for the suspect, who remains at large.
The victims, recently relocated to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from South Dakota, were found dead on a remote walking trail at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Saturday. According to police radio audio, the couple’s daughters reached the park’s visitor center and reported that their parents had been assaulted, with one possibly stabbed. The children were unharmed and are now safe with family members. The Brink family issued a heartfelt statement, saying, “Clinton and Cristen died heroes protecting their little girls, and they deserve justice. They will forever live in all of our hearts.”
The suspect is described as a white male with a medium build, wearing a long-sleeved dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, and fingerless gloves. He was seen carrying a black backpack and may have been driving a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with its license plate partially covered by duct or electrical tape. Authorities believe the suspect may have sustained an injury during the attack and could have fled the park via State Highway 170 or 220. The remote location of the crime, characterized by thick vegetation and no cellphone service, has complicated the investigation.
The ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the FBI’s Little Rock field office, is leading the effort to apprehend the suspect. Authorities have urged anyone who visited Devil’s Den State Park on July 26 to review cellphone photos, videos, or GoPro footage for potential images of the suspect. Residents near the park are also asked to check security or game camera footage. The ASP has received numerous tips but has released limited details about the ongoing investigation. The couple’s bodies have been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the cause and manner of death.
Clinton Brink was set to begin a new job as a milk delivery driver for Hiland Dairy in the Fayetteville area on Monday, July 28. Cristen, a 2022 graduate of Miles Community College with a nursing degree, and her husband had previously lived in Montana and California. Friends described the couple as selfless, with one recalling how they offered childcare and support without hesitation. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed her grief, stating on X, “We are heartbroken by this horrific news and are in close contact with State Police and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism as they work to apprehend the suspect.”
Devil’s Den State Park, a 2,500-acre destination known for its waterfalls, caves, and hiking trails, has closed all trails until further notice, with increased ranger patrols to ensure visitor safety. The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is urged to contact ASP Troop L at (479) 751-6663, extension 2, or call 911.
Regarding public speculation about a local individual, Michael Allen Roth, a registered sex offender with ties to West Fork and Winslow, no official sources have confirmed any connection to the case. Authorities are investigating all leads but have not named Roth or any other specific individual as a suspect, focusing instead on the composite sketch and vehicle description. The public is cautioned against sharing unverified information to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.
