West Fork, AR – July 31, 2025 – A suspect has been arrested in the brutal double homicide of an Arkansas couple who were killed while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park, authorities announced Wednesday, bringing a swift resolution to a case that has shaken the region.
Tragic Attack at Devil’s Den
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on a remote walking trail in Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025, around 2:40 p.m. The couple, who had recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from South Dakota, were hiking with their daughters, ages 7 and 9, when they were fatally attacked. The children were unharmed and are now safe with family members, according to the Arkansas State Police (ASP). The Brinks’ bodies were discovered on the 1.5-mile Devil’s Den Trail, a moderately difficult loop known for its rugged terrain and scenic rock formations, located in a remote area with no cell phone service. Autopsies are pending at the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the exact cause of death, which police are investigating as a double homicide.
Suspect Arrested
On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at approximately 4:57 p.m., ASP arrested James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, Arkansas, at a barbershop in Springdale, about 30 miles north of the park. McGann faces two counts of capital murder, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty in Arkansas. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killings, with ASP Major Stacie Rhoads stating at a news conference that the investigation is ongoing to secure a conviction. McGann, who recently moved to Arkansas from Oklahoma and secured a job at a local school, was identified after an “overwhelming” number of public tips, including critical video footage from park visitors.
Manhunt and Investigation
The search for the suspect gripped northwest Arkansas for four days, with ASP releasing a composite sketch and a photo of a person of interest on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. The suspect was described as a white male of medium build, wearing a long-sleeved shirt with rolled-up sleeves, dark pants, a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, fingerless gloves, and carrying a black backpack. He was seen leaving the park in a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with a license plate partially covered by tape, traveling on State Highway 170 or 220. Police believe the suspect may have been injured during the attack, though details remain undisclosed. ASP, supported by the FBI and local law enforcement, urged park visitors and nearby residents to review cellphone, GoPro, and security footage, which proved instrumental in identifying McGann. The trailhead to Devil’s Den Trail remains closed, and all park trails are shut until further notice.
Community and Official Response
The killings, described as “senseless and horrific” by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, prompted an outpouring of grief and increased law enforcement presence across state parks. “No news can heal the enormous harm done to the Brink family, but this arrest is a comfort and reassurance for our state,” Sanders said. The Brink family, in a statement released Monday, called Clinton and Cristen “heroes” who “died protecting their little girls,” asking for privacy as they grieve. Clinton, a milk delivery driver set to start work in Fayetteville, and Cristen, a 2022 nursing graduate, were remembered as devoted parents. Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, emphasized the safety of park visitors, noting that park rangers, fully commissioned law enforcement officers, are bolstering patrols.
Ongoing Investigation
While McGann’s arrest marks a significant breakthrough, ASP stressed that the investigation continues to ensure justice. “We still have a lot of work to do in terms of securing a conviction,” Rhoads said. Authorities have not released details on how the Brinks were killed or whether the daughters witnessed the attack, citing the sensitivity of the case. The public is still encouraged to provide any relevant information to ASP Troop L at (479) 751-6663, avoiding posting potential evidence online to protect the investigation.
Devil’s Den State Park, a 2,500-acre destination known for its hiking trails, caves, and waterfalls, remains under heightened security as the community mourns. The Brink family’s call for justice resonates as Arkansas rallies to support the investigation and honor the memory of Clinton and Cristen Brink.