Arkansas authorities have charged a 28-year-old teacher for the murder of a married couple who were hiking with their children at Devil’s Den State Park. After a search lasting several days, he was apprehended in a nearby city.
The Arkansas State Police (ASP) took Andrew James McGann into custody at a barbershop in Springdale at 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday. During a news conference that day, officials noted that he was in the middle of getting a haircut when arrested.
He faces two charges of capital murder for the deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41. They were discovered deceased on a walking trail in Devil’s Den. Their daughters, aged 7 and 9, were unharmed and are currently being looked after by family, according to authorities.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated, “Make no mistake – we will not stand for violent crime in Arkansas. If you target innocent citizens, law enforcement will pursue you and ensure justice is served.”
The Brinks family had moved from South Dakota to Arkansas recently and spent Saturday, July 26, exploring Devil’s Den State Park in the Ozark Mountains with their daughters.
The ASP found the bodies of Cristen and Clinton along a secluded hiking path on Sunday around 2:40 p.m. Although their daughters were unharmed, they were emotionally upset, as noted by the authorities.
A motive for the killings is still being determined, Arkansas State Police Major Stacie Rhoads said during a news conference after Wednesday’s arrest. Autopsy results have not yet been released.
On Sunday, ASP issued an updated description of the suspect. They said he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, with sleeves rolled up, rather than a tank top as originally reported. He was wearing dark pants, a dark baseball hat and sunglasses.
The suspect, later identified as McGann, was holding a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door car, authorities said.
The trail heading to the Devil’s Den trail at Devils Den State Park remained closed Monday, July 28, 2025 in West Fork, Arkansas. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
The head of the State Police, Col. Mike Hagar, said Wednesday a “monster” had been snared.
Praising the cooperation between law enforcement agencies, he said, “Because of their hard work and investigative skill, we were able to take a monster off the streets, and bring relief to those two precious girls, and the rest of our citizens.”
McGann is expected in court on Friday morning.
Devil’s Den is located about 140 miles northwest of Little Rock. The remote 2,500-acre park features hiking trails and rock formations.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Department of Public Safety, Springdale Police, FBI and Washington County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
