A suspect has been taken into custody after a couple was murdered while hiking with their young daughters.
On Saturday, July 26, Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were fatally attacked while hiking with their two young daughters, aged seven and nine, in Devil’s Den State Park.
The children were unharmed and are now safe with other family members, according to Arkansas State Police.
After a manhunt, authorities arrested 28-year-old James Andrew McGann of Springdale on Wednesday, July 30, at 4:57PM.
He was located at a business in Springdale - reportedly a barber shop - and taken into custody by Arkansas State Police Special Agents. He now faces two counts of capital murder.
“This announcement is a comfort and reassurance for our State,” said Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “No news can heal the enormous harm done to the Brink family in last weekend’s crime... 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.”
She continued: “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.”
ASP Colonel Mike Hagar also praised the efforts of investigators: “Because of their hard work and investigative skill, we were able to take a monster off the streets, and bring relief to those two precious girls, and the rest of our citizens.”
Details about the motive remain unclear. “We’re still exploring and determining exactly what that motive was,” said ASP Major Stacie Rhoads during a press briefing Wednesday night, per PEOPLE.
The couple’s family described Clinton and Cristen as heroes who “died protecting their little girls.”
In a statement shared with KHBS-TV, they said: “They ask that if anyone has any information at all that will help in 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 in all of our hearts.”
Authorities were first alerted to the incident shortly before 3:00PM on Saturday.
A composite sketch was later released to the public in an effort to identify a suspect, and witnesses also reported seeing a black four-door sedan with partially covered license plates.
McGann, who had recently moved from Oklahoma to Arkansas, was reportedly preparing to begin a new job at a local school. He had accepted a position in Springdale Public Schools for the upcoming school year but had not yet started work.
The Brinks had only recently relocated to Arkansas, according to Clinton’s sister Katrina Hutchins. Their dream of a new beginning ended in unimaginable loss just weeks after moving, per NBC News.
In response to the tragedy, Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, announced an increased law enforcement presence in state parks: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Devil’s Den State Park. Our hearts are with the victims’ loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Gov. Sanders also acknowledged the impact the crime has had on the broader community: “Our entire state is grieving for the tragic loss and senseless and horrific crime that’s taken place.”