New details have emerged following the arrest of a 28-year-old Arkansas man who allegedly confessed to killing a couple in a brutal stabbing attack at Devil’s Den State Park.
Authorities say Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were hiking with their two daughters on Saturday when they were fatally attacked in what investigators describe as a random act of violence.
The suspect, Andrew James McGann, a teacher who recently relocated to Arkansas from Oklahoma, was arrested Wednesday at a barbershop in Springdale after a multi-day manhunt. He is facing capital murder charges, according to jail records. It is not yet known if McGann has legal representation.
The Brinks’ children, ages 7 and 9, were unharmed and are not believed to have been targets. Investigators say Cristen Brink attempted to get the girls to safety before returning to help her husband, ultimately losing her life in the process.
“This appears to be a random and senseless act,” Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hagar said during a Thursday press conference. “We have no indication that the suspect knew the victims.”
McGann’s DNA reportedly matched evidence found at the crime scene, and he made incriminating statements during questioning.
Trail Discovery and Blood Evidence
A hiker discovered the Brinks’ daughters alone on the trail and led them to safety before locating their parents’ bodies and calling 911. State police found a blood trail at the scene and began gathering witness accounts.
Witnesses reported seeing a man with blood on his face leaving the trail and entering a black sedan—later identified as a Kia Stinger with tape partially covering the license plate. Investigators tracked the vehicle to Springdale, leading to McGann’s arrest.
Authorities also noted visible cuts on McGann’s hands and blood evidence inside his car. A search of his residence revealed additional items believed to be connected to the crime.
Arrest Made at Barbershop
McGann was apprehended while getting a haircut at Lupita’s Beauty Salon. Barber Adriana Guadalupe Ruiz Avalos recalled officers entering and asking about a black vehicle outside. When McGann admitted it was his, they took him into custody.
Ruiz Avalos, a fan of true crime documentaries, said she left the suspect’s hair on the floor in case police needed it for evidence. “I’m thinking about those two girls,” she said. “I had my hands on that monster.”
Springdale is about 30 miles north of the state park.
A Troubled History in Education
McGann had recently been hired as a teacher in Springdale Public Schools but had not yet begun working or interacted with students, officials confirmed. He previously taught in multiple school districts across Oklahoma and Texas.
During the 2023-24 school year, he was a fifth-grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary School in Oklahoma and had passed background checks in both Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Former parents and colleagues gave mixed reports. One parent described him as “quiet” and said kids liked him, but others expressed concerns over his behavior with students, particularly female pupils. Some parents claimed he played tag exclusively with girls, offered them candy and prizes, and hosted lunch sessions with select students.
In 2023, McGann was placed on administrative leave from Donald Elementary School in Texas following concerns about his classroom conduct, judgment, and favoritism. However, an internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students.
Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter stated his office will pursue the death penalty.
The Brinks, who had just moved to Arkansas three weeks ago, were remembered by family members as heroes who “died protecting their little girls.”
“They deserve justice,” the family said in a statement.
