Latest news with #ArkansasStatePolice
UPI
3 hours ago
- UPI
Man, 28, arrested in deaths of couple hiking in Arkansas State Park
July 30 (UPI) -- A 28-year-old man has been arrested in the deaths of a couple hiking at a northwest Arkansas state park, state police said Wednesday night. James Andrew McGann, of Springdale, Ark., was arrested and faces two counts of capital murder, the state agency said in a news release. He was apprehended at 4:57 p.m. CDT while getting a haircut, KHBS reported. Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police have arrested James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, in connection to a double homicide that occurred on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Devil's Den State Arkansas State Police (@ARStatePolice) July 31, 2025 Authorities didn't reveal whether there was a link between the suspect and the victims. Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were killed at Devil's Den State Park near Fayetteville in Washington County on Saturday afternoon, state police said. The couple, who recently moved to Prairie Grove from another state, were hiking with their daughters, 7 and 9, who were not injured. They are safe and in the custody of relatives, police said. "I'm extremely grateful for the long hours and dedication that our Agents put forward in bringing justice to this family," ASP Col. Mike Hagar said. "The collaboration between State Police, other state and local law enforcement agencies, and our federal partners has been second to none. 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." On Tuesday, a photo showing the back of a person of interest and a composite sketch were released. The suspect was described as a White male with a medium build and short hair who was wearing a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, dark pants and a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, according to the state agency. There was a description of his vehicle: a black sedan that was possibly a Mazda. It had tape over its license plate while at the park. The 2,500-acre park is in a remote and rural area, including rugged terrain with thick vegetation and no cellphone service. The park includes several trails and 20 miles for horseback riding. The park is in Lee Creek Valley of the Boston Mountains, which are part of the Ozarks. It was selected as a state park in the 1930s, and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program established during the Great Depression. Devil's Den State Park was named one of the most beautiful state parks in America by @thetravlens. This park is an Arkansas icon, nestled in Lee Creek Valley. This stunning view is on the Yellow Rock trail at the park ! #ARStateParks #VisitArkansas Arkansas State Parks (@ArkStateParks) January 28, 2023 Police were dispatched at 2:40 p.m. local time Saturday. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday in a statement on X: "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. "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."
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Arkansas man charged with capital murder after killing parents in front of daughters at Devil's Den State Park
The Arkansas Department of Public Safety announced they have made an arrest on Wednesday in connection with the killing of a married couple in front of their children at Devil's Den State Park. Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) have arrested James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale for his alleged part in the double homicide that happened on Saturday. He's accused of killing Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41, while they hiked with their daughters. Their daughters, aged 7 and 9 are now with family. He is being charged with two counts of capital murder. Police originally released a composite sketch after the couple were found along a walking trail in the state park. In their statement, they alerted the suspect who "likely sustained an injury while attacking the couple." They did not have any further info at the time. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement just hours after confirmation of the arrest of James Andrew McGann. "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," Governor Sanders said. "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." The FBI assisted with the investigation.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
911 call shows police discover Devil's Den double homicide
WEST FORK, Ark. — A 911 call sparked the hunt for a suspect responsible for a double homicide at Devil's Den State Park on Saturday, July 26. The call revealed an operator saying two children showed up to the park's visitor center. They said their parents were assaulted and one was possibly stabbed. The victims were later identified by Arkansas State Police as Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who recently moved to Prairie Grove from another state. They were found dead on a walking trail. Their two daughters were left behind uninjured. LISTEN: Radio captures moment bodies found at Devil's Den Just one day after this tragedy, people at the park were in disbelief. 'It's just kind of crazy, they're saying it's a random act, but it definitely makes you know that you never know. Any day, craziest thing could happen out of nowhere, especially in Arkansas,' park visitor Tyler Yeakley said. The police scanner that day showed when police learned about the double homicide: 'Try to relay to the office that we found the victims down here; they're on the lower Devil's Den trail. I think I see you right there, I've got two bodies down here.' Devil's Den double homicide victims identified; manhunt continues Arkansas State Police said the suspect is an unknown white male with a medium build. They believe the suspect was wearing a long-sleeved shirt with sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark ball cap and sunglasses. He had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan — possibly a Mazda. If you have any information about this case, call Arkansas State Police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Arkansas hikers remain vigilant amid ongoing manhunt after double homicide at Devil's Den State Park
PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. – As Arkansas State Police enter the third day of their search for a suspect in a brutal double homicide at Devil's Den State Park, hikers across the state are continuing their outdoor activities, with a new sense of awareness. On Saturday, a couple was fatally stabbed while hiking with their two school-aged daughters at the popular northwest Arkansas destination. The children are reportedly safe and in the custody of relatives. The incident has sparked concerns among hikers and nature lovers across the state, though many are refusing to let fear stop them from enjoying the outdoors. Manhunt continues for Devil's Den double homicide suspect, what to know One such visitor is Stanley Perry, who hiked Pinnacle Mountain, located roughly 180 miles from Devil's Den, on Monday with his wife and four daughters. 'You're going there to soak up nature because you've been stuck in the city life for so long,' Perry said. 'And all of a sudden you're back into, like, emergency mode.' While Perry said the news was disheartening, he emphasized the importance of vigilance, especially when hiking with children. 'If I'm with my kids and someone's approaching me, I'm going to be facing them the whole time,' he said. The tragedy at Devil's Den is serving as a stark reminder to hikers that dangers on the trail aren't limited to wildlife or rough terrain. 'You might be prepared for a wolf or a coyote to scratch you or bite you, but you're not expecting somebody to pop out of the woods and attack you,' Perry added. Despite the chilling nature of the crime, many families, including Perry's, say they won't let fear control their lives. 'Bad things happen all the time,' he said. 'We can't let the industrial revolution and the internet give you so much information so fast that it deters you from your actual life.' 911 call shows police discover Devil's Den double homicide Arkansas State Police are still searching for the suspect, described as a white male of medium build. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a ball cap, and sunglasses. Investigators say all available resources are being used to locate the man responsible and bring him to justice. Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims have been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the exact cause of death. 'Stay alert, stay safe — and if you're going to be hiking, hike. Have a good time,' Perry said. As the investigation continues, many Arkansans remain cautious but undeterred, choosing not to let fear rob them of their connection to nature. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNN
4 hours ago
- CNN
Arrest made in the killing of a couple hiking in Arkansas with their young daughters
A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a married couple attacked and killed while hiking with their two young daughters at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, Arkansas State Police announced on Wednesday. James Andrew McGann, 28, was arrested at a Springdale, Arkansas, business and faces two counts of capital murder, police said. The deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, are being investigated as a double homicide after their bodies were found Saturday on a walking trail in Devil's Den State Park in northwest Arkansas, state police said, without saying how they were killed. The couple had been hiking with their two young daughters. The Brinks' daughters, ages 7 and 9, weren't harmed and are safe with relatives, police said. Law enforcement presence was increased at state parks across Arkansas in response to the killings. CNN is working to determine whether McGann has an attorney. Police in Arkansas had released a photo and a sketch of a man seen Saturday in the Devil's Den State Park and said they wanted to question him in connection with the deaths. They also asked the public to watch out for a medium-build White male who may have driven a Mazda near the park and to send them any photos or videos from the area that day. On Saturday afternoon, 'Washington County received a call from the visitor center,' police audio captured by says. 'Two children are there. They advised that their parents were assaulted. One was possibly stabbed. The parents are missing.' The Brinks had recently moved from another state to Prairie Grove, a small town in northwest Arkansas near the Oklahoma border, according to police. Their family has asked for privacy. 'Clinton and Cristen died heroes, protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live on in all of our hearts,' relatives said in a Monday statement. The killings happened in a part of 2,500-acre Devil's Den State Park with thick vegetation and no cell phone service, police said. The park is known for its rugged natural scenery, with waterfalls, caves and rock formations. The couple's bodies were found on the Devil's Den Trail, audio from first responders indicates. The 1.5-mile loop of 'moderate' difficulty is one of 11 trails in the park, and its trailhead is close to the park's visitor center. While searching the trail, first responders heard shouts, scanner audio indicates, though it's not clear from whom. 'I hear yells calling for help. We're walking down,' a first responder says. 'Try to relay to the office that we found the victims down here,' a first responder says. 'They're on the lower Devil's Den Trail. … I think I see you right there. I've got two bodies down here.' This is a developing story and will be updated.
