Photo: Arkansas State Police
Arkansas State Police have arrested Andrew James McGann, 28, of Springdale, Arkansas, in connection with the double homicide at Devil's Den State Park. McGann faces two counts of capital murder for the deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were killed while hiking with their two daughters on Saturday (July 26). The children, aged seven and nine, were unharmed and are now in the custody of relatives.
The arrest follows an intensive investigation by Arkansas State Police, aided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided additional manpower and specialized resources. Authorities had released a composite sketch and a photo of a man seen in the park on the day of the killings, seeking public assistance in identifying him.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined Secretary of the Department of Public Safety Col. Mike Hagar and Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism Shea Lewis at the ASP Troop L Headquarters in Lowell to announce the arrest.
Sanders said something like this should never happen, and she hopes the entire state will wrap its arms around the Brink family.
The governor said calling the Brink family was one of the hardest things she's had to do, and thanked law enforcement for acting swiftly.
"If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice," Sanders said.
McGann had recently been hired by the Springdale school system. A statement from SPS Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland said McGann was a teacher hired for the upcoming school year but had not officially begun his employment yet.
The Brinks had recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from another state. The police have not yet disclosed the manner in which the couple was killed.