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Authorities in Arkansas have accused a 28-year-old teacher of being responsible for the deaths of a couple who were hiking with their children on July 26.
The Arkansas State Police claim that Andrew James McGann killed Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, and David Brink, 43, during a hiking trip at Devil’s Den State Park in Washington County, Arkansas, a popular family destination.
Here’s what is known about McGann and the alleged murders:
The incident at Devil’s Den State Park:
Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas (Arkansas State Parks)
The trail head to the Devil’s Den trail at Devil’s Den State Park remains closed Monday, July 28, 2025, in West Fork, Ark. Police in Arkansas are searching for a suspect in the deaths of a couple who investigators said were attacked while on the wooded walking trail with their two young daughters. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas State Police Director Col. Mike Hagar announced that Clinton and Cristen Brink were fatally stabbed, with a knife believed to be the murder weapon.
Hagar stated that the attack seemed random, with no evidence of the couple being targeted.
Blood found at the crime scene helped authorities identify the suspect. DNA evidence linked McGann to the murders.
The trail head to the lower section of the Devil’s Den trail at Devil’s Den State Park remains closed Monday, July 28, 2025, in West Fork, Ark., as police search for a suspect in the deaths of a couple who were attacked while on a wooded walking trail. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Hagar mentioned that McGann sustained injuries during the assault on Clinton and Cristen Brink.
“Although everyone is innocent until proven guilty, we did confirm this morning that the suspect’s DNA is a positive match to the DNA recovered at the crime scene,” Hagar said.
While authorities emphasized that the incident seemed to be random, with no apparent connection between McGann and the Brink family, he confessed to the murders.
“During an interview with investigators, the suspect admitted to committing the murders. We also executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered items consistent with the crime,” Hagar said.
Background and teaching history:
Andrew James McGann was booked at the Washington County Detention Center on Wednesday, July 30 at 7:08 p.m. (Washington County Detention Center)
Although McGann had no criminal record, he faced issues as a schoolteacher.
Until May, McGann taught at the Sand Springs Public Schools in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He resigned to take up a new position in another state.
McGann had passed all necessary background checks for employment at the school district.
Springdale Public Schools Superintendent Jared Cleveland confirmed that McGann had not started working at the district at the time of the alleged murders.
Cleveland expressed condolences to the Brink family and stated that their children are in their thoughts and prayers.
James Andrew McGann, 28, was arrested on Wednesday, July 30 at a barbershop. (Washington County Detention Center)
A former student’s mother filed a complaint in 2024 against McGann, alleging inappropriate behavior towards female students.
McGann was placed on leave during an investigation into professional judgment issues and poor classroom management. He resigned after the investigation concluded that his conduct did not meet district standards.
The school district informed parents of McGann’s resignation and arranged for a substitute teacher for the rest of the school year.
Who are the victims:
Clinton Brink, 43, and wife Cristen, 41, were found dead on a walking trail at Devil’s Den State Park in northwestern Arkansas. (Cristen Brink via Facebook)
The Brink family, who had recently moved from South Dakota to Arkansas, were exploring Devil’s Den State Park with their two young daughters.
The bodies of the couple were discovered on a remote trail at the park, with their children emotionally distressed but unharmed.
The children are now in the care of family members.
Major Cristen Brink of the Arkansas State Police assisted the daughters to safety before returning to help her husband, where she was killed.
Clinton and Cristin Blink were remembered for their love of their family and the outdoors. (Clinton Brink/Facebook)
Authorities believe that the mother safeguarded her children before attempting to help her husband. The children were not targeted in the attack.
The arrest:
McGann was arrested at a barbershop in Springdale, Arkansas, while getting a haircut.
Video footage obtained by Fox News shows McGann being arrested at Lupita’s Beauty Salon & Barber Shop, where he was taken into custody without resistance.
He has been charged with two counts of capital murder and is currently in jail awaiting his next court appearance.
Contributions to this report were made by Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Brooke Taylor.
