Arkansas State Police Release a Sketch of the Man Wanted for Killing a Married Couple on a Hike With Their Two Kids
Arkansas state police have released a sketch of the man wanted in connection with the murder of a married couple who were killed on a hike in Devil's Den State Park on Saturday
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead by police
The Brink family said in a statement that the couple died "protecting their little girls," aged 7 and 9, who were found unharmed nearbyPolice in Arkansas have released a composite sketch of the man who they say killed a married couple while on a hike with their two young daughters on Saturday.
Authorities previously said they are looking for a White man with a medium build who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark hat and sunglasses, who was believed to be carrying a black backpack and wearing fingerless gloves.
The sketch released by the Arkansas State Police on Monday night shows a man wearing a baseball cap. Authorities also said the alleged suspect 'likely sustained an injury while attacking the couple,' according to KPTV.
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on Saturday while their two young daughters, aged 7 and 9, were found unharmed in the woods at Devil's Den State Park.
The Brink family released a statement claiming the couple had died while "protecting their little girls" from the alleged attacker, who left the scene before police arrived.
The search for the suspect has now stretched into its fourth day.
Arkansas police said over the weekend that the suspect was seen "driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan," possibly a Mazda, with a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape, and that he may have traveled on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the state park on Saturday.
"Investigators are asking those who visited the park on Saturday to check cellphone photos and videos or GoPro camera footage for images of the suspect," police said in a press release. "They are also asking residents of the area surrounding the park to notify ASP if they have access to security and game camera footage."
Authorities also asked anyone with footage to not share it on social media, noting that "this may inadvertently jeopardize the investigation."
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The area of the park where the killings took place is described by ASP as "a remote and rural area, where the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service."
Shea Lewis, the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said in a statement that state parks would have an increased police presence in the coming days, PEOPLE previously reported.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Devil's Den State Park,' Lewis said. 'Our hearts are with the victims' loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.'
Anyone with images of the suspect or any information tied to the case is being asked to contact ASP Troop L at (479) 751-6663.
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Newsweek
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Devil's Den Killing Suspect Andrew James McGann Had 'Red Flags': Student's Mother
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mother whose child was taught by the teacher accused of the killing at Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas said there were "red flags" in his behavior long before the alleged crime. The Context Former teacher Andrew James McGann, 28, allegedly killed a married couple, Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, while they were hiking with their two daughters in the state park in Washington County, Arkansas. Police said at a press conference that the couple had been stabbed to death in what appeared to be "a completely random event." What To Know Speaking to NewsNation on Friday, Lindsay Polyak described troubling behavior involving McGann that she observed and heard about from her 10-year-old son. "There were red flags," Polyak said. "My son would say [McGann] liked to play tag at recess; he plays Truth or Dare with the girls. And then I start hearing these things like he's giving out candy. He gives candy out in class, but, really, it's for the girls." McGann, who was not her son's primary teacher, was regularly present in the classroom on Fridays and participated in school events. File photo: Mugshot of Andrew James McGann. File photo: Mugshot of Andrew James McGann. Arkansas State Police/AP "I saw him at school events, and he looked charismatic," she added. "He looked like the kids enjoyed being around him, that they flocked to him." Polyak said she and other parents had raised concerns. There were "inappropriate things happening in the classroom," she added, saying that McGann was placed on leave during an investigation and later resigned. That was two years ago. Now, the former teacher is facing two capital murder charges. Arkansas State Police said McGann allegedly stabbed Clinton Brink first. His wife, Cristen Brink, was killed after rushing her two young daughters to safety and returning to help her husband. "I was just absolutely shaken that Cristen and Clinton Brink were brutally murdered, allegedly, by the hands of the man that my son was around every day at his elementary school," Polyak said. "It was chilling to realize that he was around someone who could do this." McGann, a resident of Springdale, Arkansas, had recently relocated from Oklahoma and was hired as a teacher for the upcoming school year but had "not yet started his employment," according to local law enforcement. Springdale Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland confirmed that McGann "has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve." He added: "At this time, we cannot offer any additional information due to the ongoing investigation." Before his move, McGann worked at Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma during the 2023/24 school year and taught fifth grade at Sand Springs Public Schools during 2024/25. A spokesperson for Broken Arrow said McGann left "of his own accord" and that "he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired." Victims Clinton and Cristen Brink had recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from South Dakota. Clinton was preparing to begin work as a milk delivery driver, and Cristen was a licensed nurse, according to The Associated Press. Investigators have not disclosed a motive or details of how the killings occurred but noted the suspect may have been injured during the attack. McGann is being held at the Washington County Jail. What People Are Saying Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement: "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." Arkansas State Police Colonel Mike Hagar said: "I'm extremely grateful for the long hours and dedication that our Agents put forward in bringing justice to this family. 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Fox News
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"Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family," he said. "Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers." The mother of a former student provided an email from the teacher's previous school district to Fox News. She said that in 2023, she filed a complaint with the superintendent after her son witnessed McGann behaving inappropriately toward younger females. In response, parents received a letter from the district stating that McGann had been placed on administrative leave while officials investigated complaints of poor classroom management and professional judgment. While the investigation did not find evidence of inappropriate behavior toward a student, it concluded that McGann's classroom management and judgment fell below district expectations. Shortly afterward, McGann resigned. "Mr. McGann, on Wednesday afternoon, notified our Human Resources Department of his decision to resign his position, effective immediately," the email said, in part. "We will have a substitute teacher in his class for the rest of the school year." McGann was charged with two counts of capital murder. Police said he confessed during questioning. "Although everyone is innocent until proven guilty, we did confirm this morning that the suspect's DNA is a positive match to the DNA recovered at the crime scene," 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." WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE: Authorities confirmed that the suspect has no known adult criminal history. Investigators have not uncovered any prior charges or convictions. Investigators believe the attack was random and have not identified a motive. "It appears to be a completely random event," Hagar said. "We have no reason to believe there was any known association between our suspect and our victims." Hagar revealed that McGann sustained "injuries" during the attack. The blood found at the scene helped authorities find the suspect, they said. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Police said that Clinton Brink was attacked first, and that Cristen ran the couple's two young children back to their vehicle and then returned to help her husband, where she was also fatally attacked. "We believe that the mother took them to safety and then returned to help her husband," Major Stacey Rhodes said. WATCH MCGANN'S FIRST COURT APPEARANCE: 9 a.m. CDT — McGann appeared in Washington County Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing. He was formally advised of his rights and the charges against him. Prosecutors confirmed he is being held without bond. A public defender was appointed. Arraignment was set for Aug. 25, 2025.
