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THE last moves of the brave mom who saved her daughters before she was stabbed to death alongside her husband have been revealed.
Cristen Brink escorted her two young daughters, aged 7 and 9, to safety and then heroically returned to confront her husband’s assailant before she was tragically killed, police reported.
Authorities apprehended elementary school teacher Andrew James McGann, 28, on Wednesday for allegedly stabbing Cristen and Clinton Brink to death in Arkansas’ Devil’s Den State Park the previous Saturday.
Clinton, 43, and Cristen, 41, who had recently relocated their family to the area, were on a hiking trail with two of their three daughters when they were randomly attacked, according to police statements.
McGann allegedly stabbed Clinton first, Arkansas State Police said at a press conference on Wednesday.
In her heartbreaking final move, Cristen took the girls to safety at the park before she turned around to be with her husband, leading to her death.
“The mother did not return all the way to the car with the kids,” state police Major Stacie Rhoads said at a news conference on Thursday.
“We believe that the mother took them to safety and then returned to help her husband.”
A hiker came upon the girls and got them off the trail before they found the parents’ bodies, a preliminary police report said.
ASP arrived and found a trail of blood leading from the crime scene.
A witness then told cops that they saw someone coming out of the park with what appeared to be blood on his face, the report said.
The person then got into a black car and drove away, the witness said.
Together with another witness’ account, investigators identified the suspect’s vehicle as a black Kia stinger.
The car ended up leading to his arrest.
Following a five-day manhunt, McGann was located and arrested at Lupita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop in Springdale, Arkansas.
Surveillance footage from the salon shows cops taking the barber’s cape off McGann before he was put into cuffs mid-haircut.
Timeline of the murders
Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 43, were killed while hiking at Devil’s Den State Park with their daughters. Below is a timeline of the case:
July 16 – The Brink family has their water service turned on after recently moving to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, according to Mayor David Falk.
July 26 – Clinton and Cristen were discovered deceased on the Devil’s Den trail around 2:30 pm after their daughters ran to the visitor’s center, reporting that their parents had been attacked.
July 27 – Authorities disclosed the identities of the murdered couple. They urged park visitors to review their photos and videos from Saturday for any potential images of the suspect.
July 28 – Autopsy results reveal the Brinks died from stab wounds. Arkansas State Police releases a sketch of a person of interest in the case.
July 29 – ASP releases a picture from a witness of the person of interest in the case.
July 30 – Andrew James McGann is arrested mid-haircut at Lupita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop just before 5 pm.
August 1 – McGann appears in his first court appearance. His arraignment is scheduled for August 25.
Hairstylist Adriana Ruiz Avalos noticed two warning signs the suspect exhibited upon entering the building, including his request to keep his hair covering his face.
Court documents also noted McGann had cuts on his hands when he was arrested.
After he was arrested, McGann admitted to investigators that he killed the Brinks, police said.
COURT APPEARANCE
McGann, who has no known criminal history, appeared in court for the first time on Friday morning.
He wore a striped jail uniform and only spoke to confirm his name.
The alleged killer was granted a public defender and no bond ahead of his arraignment on August 25.
He was ordered not to contact the victims’ families.
Police said the motive in the Brinks’ murders remains a mystery.
The family had just moved to the area from South Dakota and didn’t know McGann, officials said.
McGann had also recently moved to Arkansas from Oklahoma as he was set to teach third grade at an elementary school in the fall.
Statements from suspect’s previous employers
Before he was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, Andrew James McGann worked as an elementary school teacher. Below are statements from some of the schools he was hired by:
Lewisville ISD
Lewisville ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a former teacher who was employed at Donald Elementary during the 2022-23 school year. The individual was placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023 following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism. An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. The teacher resigned from the district in May 2023.
Our hearts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic situation. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and we are committed to supporting our school community during this time.
As this is an ongoing law enforcement matter, any additional questions should be directed to the investigating agency.
Broken Arrow Public Schools
The man who was arrested in Arkansas for the murders at Devil’s Den State Park was a teacher for Broken Arrow Public Schools during the 23/24 school year. He was a 5th grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary during the 23/24 school year and left of his own accord to work out of state.
As with all employees hired by the district, he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family affected by this unimaginable act of violence.
Sand Springs Public Schools
Sand Springs Public Schools is aware of the recent arrest of a former employee. Andrew McGann was employed at Sand Springs Public Schools from the summer of 2024 to May 2025. At the end of the 2024-25 school year, McGann resigned his position to move out of state.
The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Every employee undergoes a mandatory background check for the district when they are hired. Additionally, each teacher undergoes a background check for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. McGann passed all background checks.
While SSPS has not yet been contacted by authorities regarding this matter, the district has and will always comply with requests from law enforcement in any investigation.
Our hearts are with the family and loved ones who have suffered this tragic loss.
Springdale Public Schools
Springdale Public Schools can confirm that Andrew McGann was a teacher candidate hired for the upcoming school year, who has not yet begun employment with the district. This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve. At this time, we cannot offer any additional information due to the ongoing investigation. At the appropriate time, additional information will be forthcoming. Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers
Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter said there’s no evidence to suggest that McGann was targeting the young girls in his alleged attack on their parents, according to CNN.
“They absolutely protected those girls to their fullest extent, to the point that it cost them their lives,” Carter said.
“We’re in awe of this mom and dad. We’re also in awe of these girls.”
The Brinks’ daughters are staying with family members.
