Couple slain while hiking in state park as police launch frantic hunt for killer
It happened over the weekend in Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas.
State police say Clinton and Cristen Brink, aged 43 and 41, were found in a 'remote and rural' trail at around 2.40pm on Saturday.
State Police said 'the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service.'
Authorities have since ruled their deaths a double homicide, and their bodies will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab, where their cause and manner of death will be determined.
The couple's two daughters with whom they were hiking, ages seven and nine, were uninjured and are now safe with family members.
It is unclear why the couple may have been attacked, as they had recently moved to the state, according to police. Their public Facebook profiles show they had previously lived in Montana.
'We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Devil's Den State Park,' Shea Lewis, the Secretary of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism said in a statement.
'Our hearts are with the victims' loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,' she continued, noting 'the safety of our visitors and staff is our highest priority and we are working closely with the Arkansas State Police and various law enforcement officials as the investigation continues.'
Detectives are working with state and federal authorities to track down the suspect. They have also cordoned off the trail as the investigation continues, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
'We are using all available resources to apprehend the suspect and bring him to justice,' Arkansas State Police Col Mike Hagar told 5 News Online.
The suspect has been described as a white male with a medium build, wearing a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark-colored baseball cap, sunglasses and fingerless gloves.
He was also carrying a black backpack with him at the time.
Following the murders, the man was seen driving toward a park exit in a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with duct or electrical tape covering the license plate.
It is believed he then traveled on State Route 170 or 220.
As police continue to try to track down the suspect, they are now asking anyone who was at the state park on Saturday to check any photos and videos they took for images of the suspect.
Those photos should then be sent directly to the Arkansas State Police and should not be posted to social media, which authorities said could hinder the investigation.
In the meantime, the area of the park where the murders occurred remains closed off and secured by law enforcement as of Sunday. The park's website noted that 'all trails are closed until further notice.'
'We are heartbroken by today's horrific news from Devil's Den State Park and are in close contact with State Police and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism as they work to apprehend the suspect,' Gov Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.
'We are praying for the family and friends of the victims and know that law enforcement will not rest until the perpetrator is brought to justice.'
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