LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A 28-year-old teacher who allegedly confessed to fatally stabbing an unfamiliar couple who were on a hike with their two children in an Arkansas state park made his initial court appearance on Friday.

Andrew James McGann, 28, is facing two counts of capital murder for the deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, on Saturday. The judge ordered McGann to remain held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center, appointed a public defender for him, and scheduled his arraignment for August 25.

Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar stated Thursday that investigators are working to uncover a motive behind the attack at Devil’s Den, a 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) state park located approximately 140 miles (220 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock. The park’s trails have been closed to visitors since Saturday.

State Police arrested McGann on Wednesday at a barbershop in Springdale, roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of the park, reported Maj. Stacie Rhoads, head of the department’s criminal investigation division.

The Associated Press has left messages at numbers listed for McGann, who has no criminal record.

Officials indicated that the husband was stabbed first, about half a mile (0.8 kilometers) into the park. The mother secured her children’s safety before returning to assist her husband, and she was subsequently fatally stabbed as well.

Authorities have not disclosed whether the children — ages 7 and 9 — witnessed their parents’ murders. They were unharmed and are currently being cared for by family members, officials confirmed.

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.

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

The State Police collected photos and videos from other hikers who had been on the trails but didn’t witness the attack. 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 identifying McGann as a suspect, police captured him at the barber shop.

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

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 came 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 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 has 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.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.