Arrested: Andrew James McGann, 28, of Springdale. VIDEO BELOW.
UPDATE – THU AUG 14, 2025 914AM
Andrew James McGann, 28, a teacher newly hired by Springdale Public Schools, pleaded not guilty on Thursday morning August 14th, to two counts of capital murder in the stabbing deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41.
The couple was fatally attacked on July 26th while hiking at Devil’s Den State Park in Northwest Arkansas, with their two daughters, aged 7 and 9. The daughters escaped unharmed. Authorities say the mom ushered her girls to safety before returning to help her husband and was also stabbed to death, according to AP News.
McGann was arrested on July 30 at a barbershop in Springdale, roughly 30 miles from the park. Law enforcement found him there following a statewide search and hundreds of tips. DNA evidence matched blood found at the crime scene to McGann, and investigators say he confessed to the killings.
Arkansas State Police emphasized that the attack appeared random, with no known connection between McGann and the victims or their children.
McGann, a former teacher in Texas and Oklahoma, had resigned from previous roles—some amid concerns about classroom conduct and favoritism toward young girls—though no misconduct was substantiated during internal reviews. He had not yet started his new job in Springdale at the time of the attack.
McGann entered a not guilty plea during a brief arraignment at the Washington County Detention Center. Judge Joanna Taylor set the next hearing for November 14, 2025. Authorities are holding McGann without bond, and prosecutors have not ruled out pursuing the death penalty.
Sources:
- https://apnews.com/article/cb2ef8b511aea3658b76ab0acf2a6482
- https://apnews.com/article/f4939dc9a3097e498fe98b655357e377
- https://apnews.com/article/590bcf96d4838a4dac544787a11e45c2
UPDATE – WED JUL 30, 2025 915PM
Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) have arrested Andrew James McGann, 28, of Springdale, in connection to a double homicide that occurred on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Devil’s Den State Park.
McGann was taken into custody at 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at a business in Springdale. He was charged with two counts of Capital Murder.
VIDEO PART 1 OF PRESS CONF:
During the press conference, law enforcement confirmed that McGann had been an elementary school teacher who recently signed on for employment with a school in the Springdale system.
VIDEO PART 2 OF PRESS CONF:
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released the following: “No news can heal the enormous harm done to the Brink family in last weekend’s crime, but this announcement is a comfort and reassurance for our State. I am so proud of the Arkansas State Police, Park Rangers, local law enforcement, and others who have worked nonstop since last weekend to capture this suspect. I ask that Arkansans lift up prayers of thanks for the brave men and women of law enforcement – and offer prayers of condolence to the victims of this horrific crime. Let there be no mistake – we do not tolerate violent crime in Arkansas. If you target innocent people, law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice.”
🎬Watch for video of the press conference, coming soon on Wednesday evening….
PREVIOUSLY – TUE JUL 29, 2025
These first three pics are cropped so the reader can focus on detail, especially readers on mobile devices. The full photo is below, along with maps of the general area.
WEST FORK, Ark. – Arkansas State Police (ASP) investigators released a photo of the person of interest in connection with a double homicide that occurred at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday. On Monday, ASP released a pencil sketch of the man.
See the full images and more info below, INCLUDING what to do and what not to do to when you are trying to help.
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were fatally attacked while hiking with their two daughters, who were unharmed and are now safe with family.
If you have any information, you are urged to call the ASP tip line at (501) 618-TIPS or submit a tip through the online form at: https://bit.ly/ASP-Devils-Den-Tips.
The wanted man is described as a white male of medium build, last seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt (with sleeves rolled up), dark pants, a dark baseball cap, and sunglasses. He was carrying a black backpack, wearing fingerless gloves, and may have sustained an injury during the attack.
Witnesses observed him leaving the area in a black, four-door sedan — possibly a Mazda — with its license plate obscured by tape, traveling towards State Highway 170 or State Highway 220.
MAPS & FULL PHOTO BELOW:
Find Devil’s Den near the south border of Washington County, Arkansas. Here’s the map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n7gtZX1jxY3W4JMM9
You may have captured evidence of the person of interest or the described vehicle.
DO Review your photos:
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- Visitors – Look through your photos and views.
- Locals – Check your security footage or game camera footage.
DON’T post possible evidence online:
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- Instead, preserve the original files and submit information to ASP.
ASP is actively following all leads and working around the clock to resolve the case and protect public safety. They also wish to thank the public for assistance. They urge anyone with any information to come forward immediately, no matter how minor they think it might be.
Here is the full picture of this person of interest:
Watch MySaline.com for updates.
PREVIOUSLY – MON JUL 28, 2025
July 28, 2025
WEST FORK, Ark. – Arkansas State Police (ASP) released a composite sketch of a man seen in Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Investigators have asked the public for help identifying the man so that they can question him related to a double homicide at the park.
Investigators said the suspect in the deaths likely sustained an injury while attacking the couple.
The victims have been identified as Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who recently moved to Prairie Grove from another state. The couple was hiking with their two daughters when they were attacked. The girls, who are 7 and 9, were not injured and are safe with family members.
The couple’s family released the following statement on Monday, July 28, 2025:
“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult time as they grieve and learn how to navigate this new reality. They ask that if anyone has any information at all that will help the investigation, to please contact the proper authorities immediately. Clinton and Cristen died heroes, protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live on in all of our hearts.”
Anyone with information about the suspect or his whereabouts should contact ASP Troop L at (479) 751-6663, Extension 2, or call 911. ASP has received numerous calls from the public with possible tips. If leaving a voicemail is necessary, calls will be returned as soon as possible.
At about 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, ASP was notified of a double homicide at the park, located in Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Brink were found dead on a walking trail. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is handing the suspected homicide.
Investigators are asking those who visited the park on Saturday to check cellphone photos and videos or GoPro footage for images of the suspect. They are also asking residents of the area surrounding the park to notify ASP if they have access to security and game camera footage.
The suspect was described as wearing a long-sleeved shirt, with sleeves rolled up, rather than a tank top as originally reported. The suspect is an unknown white male with a medium build. He was wearing dark pants, a dark ballcap and sunglasses. The suspect had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan.
The suspect’s vehicle may be a Mazda with a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape. It may have been traveling on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the park.
The investigation is ongoing, and ASP is pursuing all leads to apprehend the suspect. ASP is collaborating with all local, state and federal law enforcement partners.