Arkansas couple killed at Devil's Den State Park while hiking with young daughters; suspect at large
Arkansas State Police (ASP) were notified of a double homicide at Devil's Den State Park, located near the northwestern corner of the state, at about 2:40 p.m. on Saturday. Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41, were found dead on a walking trail, according to a press release.
Their young daughters, ages 9 and 7, were uninjured and are now safe with family members, police said.
The Brinks were new to the area, the press release notes, having recently moved to Prairie Grove, Ark., from another state.
The ASP issued a description of the suspect: a White male with a medium build, wearing a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark ballcap, sunglasses and fingerless gloves. He was also carrying a black backpack, police said.
The suspect was also seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan – possibly a Mazda with tape covering the license plate. The vehicle may have been traveling on State Route 170 or 220, police said.
Police described the park as "a remote and rural area, where the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service."
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Devil's Den State Park," Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said in a statement.
"Our hearts are with the victims' loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." Lewis continued. "The safety of our visitors and staff is our highest priority, and we are working closely with Arkansas State Police and various law enforcement officials as the investigation continues."
Lewis also noted increased law enforcement presence across the Natural State's state parks.
Investigators are also asking those who visited the park on Saturday to check any photos and videos taken for images of the suspect.
The ASP did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
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Axios
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Arkansas State Police Release a Sketch of the Man Wanted for Killing a Married Couple on a Hike With Their Two Kids
Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink were killed Saturday while on a hike with their two young daughtersNEED TO KNOW 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." 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. Read the original article on People
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