An Arkansas teacher is set to have his initial court hearing on Friday after allegedly confessing to the murder of a couple who were hiking with their children in a state park.

Andrew James McGann, age 28, faces charges of capital murder for the deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, on Saturday. He is currently being held without bail and will appear at the Washington County Detention Center.

Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar stated that investigators are working to uncover the motive behind the attack that occurred at Devil’s Den, a sprawling 2,500-acre state park located near West Fork, approximately 140 miles northwest of the capital, Little Rock. Since the incident, the park’s trails have been closed to visitors.

McGann was taken into custody on Wednesday at a Springdale barbershop, situated about 30 miles from the park, according to Maj. Stacie Rhoads of the department’s criminal investigation unit.

Brandon Carter, the prosecutor for Washington County, mentioned that he is unsure if McGann has legal representation or will require a public defender. Attempts to contact McGann by phone have been unsuccessful, and he has no prior criminal history.

Authorities reported that the attack began with the husband being stabbed roughly half a mile into the park. The mother managed to guide her children to a safe location before returning to assist her husband, at which point she was also fatally stabbed.

Authorities have not said if the girls — ages 7 and 9 — witnessed both their parents being killed. They were not hurt and are being cared for by family members, authorities said.

McGann was cooperative during the arrest and admitted to killing the couple soon after, Rhoads said. Police also matched his DNA to blood found at the crime scene. The case is distressing even to the police.

“In my 27 years that I’ve been with the State Police, this is probably one of the most heinous that we’ve had, especially the aspect of just how random it was,” Rhoads said.

Police flooded with tips

McGann was arrested after a five-day search and hundreds of tips.

The State Police collected photos and videos from other hikers who didn’t witness the attack but were on the trails at around the same time. Police also released a composite sketch and a photo that showed a person of interest from behind.

The police then narrowed down the suspect’s vehicle, which had tape over the license plate, using surveillance footage from homes and businesses near Devil’s Den.

Within an hour of McGann being identified as a suspect, he was caught at the barber shop.

Carter indicated the state would give a jury the option to sentence McGann to the death penalty.

Suspect taught in other states before Arkansas job

McGann has active teaching licenses in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, according to each respective government certification website. No infractions or suspensions are noted on his public state licensures in any of those states. The Associated Press has reached out to all three state education agencies.

McGann was placed on administrative leave in spring 2023 while he was employed at Donald Elementary School in Flower Mound, Texas, “following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism,” according to a spokesperson for the Lewisville Independent School District.

Sierra Marcum, whose son was in McGann’s fourth grade class, said the teacher came across as “pretty cold” and “disinterested in his students.” Marcum said her son had come home from school upset about some of McGann’s behavior, which she reported to the school’s principal.

McGann resigned from the Lewisville posting in May 2023, the district said in a statement.

He also taught at a small Oklahoma school district from the summer of 2024 until May this year. He resigned to take a job in another state, according to a statement from Sand Springs Public Schools, near Tulsa. The district said McGann passed all background checks.

Law enforcement hasn’t contacted Sand Springs Public Schools regarding the investigation, district spokesperson Lissa Chidester said.

McGann had not yet started his new job in Arkansas at Springdale Public Schools, said Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent. He said the district could not provide more information, citing the investigation.

The victims had just arrived in Arkansas

The Brinks and their three daughters had recently moved from South Dakota to the small city of Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas.

Clinton Brink was supposed to start working as a milk delivery driver on Monday, according to Hiland Dairy, his employer. Cristen Brink had been licensed as a nurse in Montana and South Dakota before moving to Arkansas.

The Brink family said the couple died “heroes protecting their little girls.”

___

Riddle reported from Montgomery, Alabama. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle and Corey Williams in Detroit contributed.