Mom Killed Trying to Save Husband in Deadly Park Murder

A former schoolteacher has been arrested in the horrifying double murder of a married couple at a scenic Arkansas park—a killing spree carried out in front of the victims’ two young daughters.

Andrew James McGann, 28, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon while getting a haircut at a barbershop in Springdale. Authorities say the former teacher has since confessed to the fatal stabbing of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were found dead on a hiking trail in Devil’s Den State Park over the weekend.

The couple had been hiking with their daughters, ages 7 and 9, who miraculously escaped physical harm. Officials say the children are now safe with relatives.

Police launched an intensive manhunt after the girls were found alone on the trail and told investigators something had happened to their parents. A tip from a witness who saw a suspicious man and vehicle in the area helped lead authorities to McGann.

Arkansas State Police Director Col. Mike Hagar confirmed Thursday that DNA found at the scene matched McGann, and during questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted to the brutal killings.

Investigators say Clinton was attacked first. Cristen reportedly rushed her daughters to safety before bravely returning to help her husband—where she was also fatally stabbed.

“This was a monster,” Hagar said. “We were able to take him off the streets and bring some small measure of justice to those two little girls.”

Authorities believe the attack was random and that McGann had no known connection to the victims. A knife was recovered and identified as the murder weapon. McGann had also sustained injuries during the attack, and his blood at the scene helped tie him to the crime.

McGann has no known adult criminal history, but his past is now under a microscope. He previously taught in Oklahoma before resigning under a cloud of controversy. A former parent has come forward, saying she filed a complaint after her son saw McGann acting inappropriately toward younger students. While school officials said there was no conclusive evidence of misconduct, McGann was placed on leave and soon after resigned.

He was set to begin a new teaching job in Arkansas, but never started.

On Saturday, July 26, the Brink family—recently relocated from South Dakota—were exploring the remote trails of Devil’s Den, a 2,500-acre park in the Ozarks known for its rugged beauty. By Sunday afternoon, Clinton and Cristen’s bodies were found, and the area was shut down as police swarmed in search of the killer.

Hundreds of tips poured in. A witness report helped narrow the suspect’s appearance: dark clothes, fingerless gloves, and a black backpack. He was seen fleeing the park in a black four-door car.

The investigation is still active, with authorities saying McGann acted alone. They’re still working to determine a motive. The park trail remains closed.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised the swift police work, saying, “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.”

McGann is being held without bail and is expected to appear in court Friday morning on two counts of capital murder.

Devil’s Den State Park is located roughly 140 miles northwest of Little Rock.