
Arkansas Police Release Photo of ‘Person of Interest' in Killing of Couple
The image of the man was taken by another hiker, said Nick Genty, a spokesman for the Arkansas State Police. 'He could have been captured in the background of someone's photo,' Mr. Genty said.
The release of the picture came one day after the police circulated a sketch of a person they believe to be the same man, based on witness interviews with hikers who were in the state park that afternoon. The police have not revealed how the couple were killed, and Mr. Genty said that they had yet to determine if the attack was random or targeted.
The man, described by the police as a man of medium build, was last seen wearing a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark baseball cap and sunglasses. He carried a black backpack, wore fingerless gloves and may have been injured during the attack, according to the police.
Witnesses told investigators that the man was seen leaving the area in a black, four-door sedan — possibly a Mazda — with its license plate covered with electrical or duct tape. He was reportedly driving toward either State Highway 170 or State Highway 220, police said.
The police declined to say if the concealed license plate might suggest premeditation or an intent to evade identification.
The victims, identified as Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, had recently moved from Miles City, Mont., to Prairie Grove, Ark., which is about 17 miles north of the state park.
The family was attacked while hiking on a trail in a remote area of the park that has limited cell service, the police said. The couple had been hiking with their two daughters, who are 7 and 9. The girls were not injured in the attack.
The police declined to say whether anyone intervened to help the family. The couple's bodies were found near the walking trail.
The children are now in the care of family members.
The couple's family released a statement on Monday, urging anyone with information to come forward.
'Please contact the proper authorities immediately,' the statement reads. 'Clinton and Cristen died heroes, protecting their little girls and they deserve justice.'

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Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
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. 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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. 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Washington Post
4 days ago
- Washington Post
Mom in Arkansas park attack killed after helping kids to safety, police say
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Fox News
4 days ago
- Fox News
Video shows Arkansas hiking murder suspect arrested mid-haircut
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He declined to provide more information, citing the investigation."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 female students. 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. 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Investigators believe McGann acted alone, and no additional suspects are being sought at this Den is located about 140 miles northwest of Little Rock. The remote 2,500-acre park features hiking trails and rock formations.