Quick Read
- A teacher, Andrew James McGann, has been charged with killing a couple hiking with their children in Arkansas.
- The victims, Clinton and Cristen Brink, were protecting their children during the attack.
- McGann was arrested after a five-day manhunt and admitted to the crime.
- The couple had recently moved to Arkansas and were exploring the state’s parks.
- Authorities are seeking the death penalty in the case.
A tragic and shocking crime unfolded at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas on Saturday, July 26, 2025, when a couple, Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were fatally stabbed during a family hike with their two young daughters. Authorities have charged Andrew James McGann, a 28-year-old teacher, with two counts of capital murder in connection with the killings. The Brinks’ children, aged 7 and 9, were unharmed and are now being cared for by family members.
Details of the Incident
The attack occurred approximately half a mile into a trail at the 2,500-acre Devil’s Den State Park near West Fork, Arkansas. According to authorities, Clinton Brink was the first to be attacked. Cristen Brink, in a heroic act, ushered their children to safety before returning to aid her husband. Tragically, she was also fatally stabbed.
The Arkansas State Police closed the park’s trails following the incident and launched a five-day manhunt. State Police Col. Mike Hagar described the crime as “one of the most heinous” he had encountered in his 27 years of service, citing its random nature as particularly distressing.
The Arrest and Evidence
Andrew James McGann was apprehended on Wednesday, July 30, at a barbershop in Springdale, Arkansas, located about 30 miles north of the crime scene. Authorities utilized surveillance footage, a composite sketch, and tips from the public to identify McGann as the suspect. His vehicle, which had tape covering the license plate, was a key piece of evidence. Within an hour of being identified, McGann was taken into custody.
Maj. Stacie Rhoads, commander of the State Police’s criminal investigation division, stated that McGann admitted to the killings shortly after his arrest. Police also matched his DNA to blood found at the crime scene, solidifying the case against him. Washington County prosecutor Brandon Carter has indicated that the death penalty will be considered as an option for the jury.
The Suspect’s Background
McGann holds active teaching licenses in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, with no prior infractions noted on his records. However, his professional history reveals troubling signs. In spring 2023, while teaching at Donald Elementary School in Flower Mound, Texas, McGann was placed on administrative leave due to concerns about classroom management and professional judgment. He resigned from this position in May 2023.
He later worked at a small school district in Oklahoma from summer 2024 until May 2025 before resigning to take a teaching job in Arkansas. McGann had not yet begun his new role at Springdale Public Schools at the time of the crime. Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent, confirmed that McGann had passed all required background checks but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
About the Victims
The Brinks had recently relocated from South Dakota to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, with their three daughters. Clinton Brink was set to begin a job as a milk delivery driver, while Cristen Brink, a licensed nurse in Montana and South Dakota, was preparing for the next chapter in her career. The family described the couple as heroes who died protecting their children.
Devil’s Den State Park, where the tragedy occurred, is a popular destination known for its hiking trails and rock formations. Established in the 1930s, the park attracts visitors from across the region. Its trails remain closed as authorities continue their investigation.
Community and Official Reactions
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed her condolences to the Brink family and commended law enforcement for their swift action. “If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state, our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” she said during a press conference.
The community of Prairie Grove has been deeply affected by the tragedy, with residents rallying around the surviving children. Mayor David Faulk noted that the family had only recently moved into the area, with their utilities connected less than two weeks prior to the incident.
Law enforcement officials have praised the public for their role in the investigation, emphasizing that tips and evidence submitted by hikers and local residents were instrumental in identifying and capturing McGann. Col. Hagar called the community response “overwhelming.”
The tragic loss of Clinton and Cristen Brink has left a lasting impact on their family, the local community, and all who hear of their story. As the case against Andrew McGann unfolds, many are left grappling with the senselessness of the crime and mourning the loss of two lives cut tragically short.