Victims: Clinton David Brink (43) and Cristen Amanda Brink (41)
Suspect: James Andrew McGann (28), of Springdale, Arkansas
Children: Two daughters, ages 7 and 9 — physically unharmed

July 16, 2025

• The Brink family, having recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, activate their home’s water service. Clinton had transferred from Hiland Dairy’s parent company, Prairie Farms Dairy, in South Dakota. Cristen had been licensed as a nurse in Montana and South Dakota before moving to Arkansas. 

July 26, 2025 (Saturday)

• 2:15 p.m. Two young girls, aged 7 and 9, were found by a hiker off a trail in Devil’s Den State Park, Arkansas. The girls were visibly upset and reported that their parents had been attacked while hiking. They mentioned that their mother might have been stabbed and that their father was also injured.. Source
• The suspect in their deaths is an unknown white male wearing dark shorts, a dark tank top and weight-lifting type gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan.
• The suspect’s vehicle with a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape. It may have been traveling on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the park.
• 2:30 p.m., park staff receive a report: the Brinks’ daughters (ages 7 and 9) reach the visitor center and say their parents had been attacked, possibly stabbed. Park rangers discover Clinton David Brink (43) and Cristen Amanda Brink (41) deceased on a trail. The girls are safely placed with relatives. Authorities state the couple died shielding their children
• 2:40 p.m., ASP was notified of a double homicide at the park, located in Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Brink were found dead on a walking trail. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is handing the suspected homicide. Their Bodies were transported to Arkansas State Crime Lab, where manner and cause of death will be determined. Source
• Evening: The children are placed in the care of relatives. Arkansas State Police (ASP) begin an active homicide investigation. The area is cordoned off. All trails are closed to the public.

July 27, 2025 (Sunday)

• Arkansas State Police publicly release the names of the victims: Clinton and Cristen Brink. Source
• ASP requests assistance from the public: hikers and visitors are asked to submit photos and videos taken at Devil’s Den on July 26.
• Investigators announce they are reviewing surveillance footage and digital tips.
  

Investigators are asking those who visited the park on Saturday to check cellphone photos and videos or GoPro footage for images of the suspect. They are also asking residents of the area surrounding the park to notify ASP if they have access to security and game camera footage.

The suspect was described as wearing a long-sleeved shirt, with sleeves rolled up, rather than a tank top as originally reported. The suspect is an unknown white male with a medium build. He was wearing dark pants, a dark ballcap and sunglasses. The suspect had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan.

The suspect’s vehicle may be a Mazda with a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape. It may have been traveling on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the park.

The investigation is ongoing, and ASP is pursuing all leads to apprehend the suspect. ASP is collaborating with all local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Source

July 28, 2025 (Monday)

• ASP releases a composite sketch of a suspect described by witnesses as a White male in dark clothing with a backpack. Source
• Tips begin to come in from across the country, including as far away as Washington state. ASP interviewed witnesses, one of whom saw a man emerging from the trail with blood on his face, entering a black sedan that left via Highway 170.
• Another witness later identified the vehicle as a Kia Stinger.
• Investigators collected security footage, confirming it was a 2022 Kia Stinger.
• A blood trail at the scene was traced and determined to be from the victims.
• Evidence was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory.
• The Medical Examiner provides a preliminary determination: Both victims died by homicide from stabbing wounds.

July 29, 2025 (Tuesday)

• Law enforcement shares a witness photo showing the suspect from behind clothed in dark gear and carrying a backpack and warns he may be injured Source

July 30, 2025 (Wednesday)

• 4:57 p.m. Investigators located the suspect vehicle at a barber shop in Springdale, AR. James Andrew McGann is arrested while getting a haircut at Lupita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop on Huntsville Avenue in Springdale, Arkansas.
• He is calm and compliant at the time of arrest. 
• Investigators noticed several cuts on McGann’s hands.
• McGann had been identified through tips and facial recognition comparisons with the suspect photo.
• He consented to a search of his vehicle so investigators could obtain his identification. Inside the vehicle, investigators observe a substance appearing to be blood.
• Evening: He makes statements admitting to the killings of both victims. He states he planned the attack and waited with deliberate purpose to kill the two hikers. McGann is booked into the Washington County Detention Center under the name “Andrew McGann.”
• He is charged with two counts of capital murder.
• ASP confirms that the suspect did not know the victims, and that a motive has not yet been determined.

July 31, 2025 (Thursday)

• Springdale School District confirms that McGann had recently been hired as a teaching candidate for the 2025–2026 school year.
• He passed all background checks.
• He had not yet interacted with any students or parents.
• Previously, McGann had worked as a 5th-grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, during the 2023–24 school year.
• Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and ASP hold a press briefing:
• Thanking law enforcement agencies and the public for tip submissions.
• Emphasizing no further threat to the public.
• Noting that the daughters are safe with family.
• The family was ambushed while they hiked through the remote park, with Cristen rushing the girls to safety while Clinton stayed back to fend off their attacker. Once the girls were safe Cristen ran back to help her husband but both ended up dead and left on the trail with stab wounds.
• State Police say they believe this was a completely random attack. McGann’s DNA was a match to DNA left at the scene and he admitted to the murders, according to police. The daughters and witnesses helped give police a description of the suspect. Tips from the public about the suspect’s car description also played a key role in helping officers track him down. McGann was arrested at a local barbershop. Police say the couple leaves behind 3 daughters.

August 1, 2025 (Friday)

• First court appearance for McGann on the capital murder charges.
• Prosecutors are expected to argue for pretrial detention and capital eligibility under Arkansas law.

Summary

James Andrew McGann is accused of murdering Clinton and Cristen Brink as they hiked with their two daughters in Devil’s Den State Park. The killings occurred in broad daylight on July 26, and the daughters escaped and alerted park rangers. After a nationwide tip campaign and photo release, McGann was identified and arrested in Springdale. He had recently relocated for a teaching job and has no known connection to the victims.

Records

2022

• May, 2022 Andrew James McGann Graduated Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. 
• May 7, 2022 Andrew James McGann obtained an Oklahoma Teaching Certificate Source

2022-2023 school year: 

• McGann was a teacher at Donald Elementary.
• Spring 2023: McGann was placed on administrative leave following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, student favoritism, and uneven treatment of students. An internal investigation by Lewisville ISD found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students, but his classroom management and professional judgment were found to be below district expectations.
• May 2023: McGann resigned from Lewisville ISD.
• July 21, 2023: McGann obtained a Texas Educator Certificate with effective date July 21, 2023, and expires on August 31, 2028. Records show McGann had a Dallas address, and it is believed he worked at the school in Flower Mound in 2023. Source

2023 – 2024 School Year:

• McGann was a teacher for Broken Arrow Public Schools during the 2023-2024 school year

2024 – 2025 School Year:

• May, 2025: McGann was a teacher at a small Oklahoma school district until May and then resigned to take a job in another state, according to a statement from Sand Springs Public Schools, which is near Tulsa. It added that McGann had passed all background checks.

October 28, 2024

• McGann obtained an Arkansas teaching certificate  Source

2025 – 2026 School Year

• McGann had been hired at Springdale Public Schools as a teacher candidate for the upcoming year at Bayyari Elementary but had not yet come into contact with any of its families or students, the district said in a statement.

July 30, 2025

4:57 PM: Andrew James McGann was arrested at a barbershop in Springdale about 30 miles north of the state park, State Police said at a news conference Wednesday night. He was charged with two counts of capital murder and is being held at the Washington County Jail. Source

• McGann was at Lupita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop on Huntsville Avenue in Springdale when detectives walked in mid-haircut and made the arrest.

He is being held without bond at the Washington County Jail. Source

Records