Alleged Devil's Den killer investigated in multiple unsolved murders across US that have one thing in common
Share this @internewscast.com

The man accused of killing a married couple while they were on a hiking trip with their kids in Arkansas July 26 is being looked at for possible involvement in other murders.

Arkansas State Police allege Andrew James McGann killed Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, and Clinton David Brink, 43, while the couple was taking their children hiking at Devil’s Den State Park in Washington County, Arkansas. McGann is due in court Thursday morning to be arraigned on capital murder charges.

Col. Mike Hagar, Arkansas State Police director, said McGann confessed to the killings, adding they were stabbed to death in a “completely random event.”

“We have no reason to believe there was any known association between our suspect and our victims,” Hagar said. “During an interview with investigators, the suspect admitted to committing the murders. We also executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered items consistent with the crime.”

John Craig Schmutzer smiling

John Craig Schmutzer was killed in 2020. (Sauk County Sheriff’s Office)

The detective said police are trying to determine if there’s any link between McGann and the death of Schmutzer.

“We’ve received many tips, both from citizens in Arkansas and Wisconsin, regarding the Devil’s Den Homicide and the possible connection to our homicide from October 2020,” Det. Sgt. Drew Bulin told Fox News Digital. “We’ve been in contact with Arkansas investigators and will be working to determine if the similarities are a coincidence or if there is something more.”

According to ABC 7 News, McGann grew up in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood, which is about three hours from Devil’s Lake State Park.

The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office said Schmutzer’s killer was roughly 6 feet tall with a “slender to average build.” Jail records from Washington County, Arkansas, indicate McGann is 6 feet tall.

The Vermont State Police said in an Aug. 7 press release that detectives reached out to law enforcement in Arkansas to discuss the death of Honoree Fleming, whose body was found on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail in Castleton.

“After the Vermont State Police learned of the recent double homicide of a couple on a hiking trail in Arkansas and the arrest of a suspect, VSP detectives took the routine step of contacting their counterparts in Arkansas to discuss the case,” the Vermont State Police wrote. “At this time, there is no known link between the suspect in that case and the Honoree Fleming homicide, or to Vermont in general.”

Honoree Fleming works at her laptop

Honoree Fleming, a biologist and former dean of education at the Vermont State University Castleton Campus, sits at her computer in an undated family photo. She was found shot dead on a hiking trail near the school Oct. 5, and police are asking for the public’s help finding a suspect. (Dean Powers)

Shane Wilkinson, a criminal defense attorney and former chief deputy prosecutor of Benton County, Arkansas, told Fox News Digital he thinks law enforcement agencies with unsolved hiking murders are likely taking a look at McGann.

“I think anybody that has an unsolved hiking trail murder, they’re probably taking note of this right now,” Wilkinson said.

Former homicide Det. Ted Williams told Fox News Digital McGann’s alleged murder has “raised a great deal of red flags all over the country.”

James Andrew McGann

Special agents with the Arkansas State Police arrested James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, in a July 26, 2025, double homicide at Devil’s Den State Park.  (Arkansas State Police; Washington County Detention Center)

“I would have to believe not only are law enforcement in Wisconsin and Vermont interested in McGann. But they also interested him all over this country because of the manner in which he was alleged to have stabbed this couple to death,” Williams said. “And the manner in which he stabbed this couple there in Devil’s Den State Park would lead any law enforcement agency that has a similar situation, where someone has been stabbed to death, to definitely wanna look into Andrew McGann.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Five Points businesses recovering after break-ins

Five Points Businesses Rebound Following Recent Break-Ins

Pattaya Thai is among several businesses in Five Points grappling with the…
Virginia GOP candidate holds debate with AI bot of opponent

Virginia GOP Candidate Engages in Historic Debate Against AI-Generated Opponent in Political First

An unexpected twist emerged in the Virginia lieutenant governor’s race on Tuesday…
NYC socialist mayoral candidate Mamdani's 911 plan called 'worst idea' by former NYPD

Former NYPD Criticizes NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani’s Controversial 911 Reform Proposal

Mamdani calls for ‘reorganizing’ NYPD 911 response In a mayoral debate held…
Strike averted: Musicians' union reaches tentative deal with Broadway league

Musicians’ Union and Broadway League Reach Tentative Agreement, Preventing Strike

NEW YORK — Broadway musicians have successfully brokered a preliminary deal with…
Miami Heat's Terry Rozier, Portland coach Chauncey Billups arrested in FBI probe

FBI Investigation Leads to Arrests of Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier and Portland Coach Chauncey Billups

Charges against Rozier and Billups are tied to two significant cases: one…
Father of Jacksonville rapper Ksoo to be sentenced in November for accessory in murder

Jacksonville Rapper Ksoo’s Father Faces November Sentencing: A Deep Dive into the Murder Accessory Case

Abdul Robinson Sr., 54, has reached a plea agreement to testify against…
Kim Zolciak gushes over Kyle Mowitz romance for first time after ex Kroy Biermann's scathing warning

Kim Zolciak Opens Up About New Romance with Kyle Mowitz Amidst Tensions with Ex Kroy Biermann

Kim Zolciak made it official on Wednesday by sharing her budding romance…
4 family members of Illinois governor candidate killed in Montana helicopter crash, campaign says

Tragedy Strikes: Four Relatives of Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Perish in Montana Helicopter Crash, Campaign Reports

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A tragic helicopter crash in Montana has claimed…
Charlotte man charged with Iryna Zarutska’s killing could face death penalty

Charlotte Resident Faces Potential Death Penalty in Connection with Iryna Zarutska’s Murder

The heart-wrenching case of Iryna Zarutska’s murder has taken a significant legal…
Wyoming Capitol bomb investigators focus on men seen in security video

Investigators Zero In on Individuals Captured in Security Footage in Wyoming Capitol Bomb Probe

Investigators in Wyoming are on the hunt for two individuals suspected of…
Chicago Little Village activity today: 1 arrested for battery of police officer near 26th, Whipple amid clash with feds

Tensions Rise in Chicago’s Little Village: Arrest Made for Assaulting Officer During Federal Standoff

In the heart of Little Village, a neighborhood in Chicago, tensions flared…
FBI releases new surveillance video of suspect who placed pipe bombs near DNC, RNC offices in DC

FBI Unveils New Footage of Suspect Linked to Pipe Bombs Near DNC and RNC Offices

In a renewed effort to solve one of the lingering mysteries from…