Clinton Brink (43) and his spouse Cristin Brink (41) have been mountain climbing Satan’s Den State Park in northwest Arkansas with their younger daughters, Ariana and Christina, after they have been brutally murdered in what seems to be a very random assault.
As some background, the Brink household moved from South Dakota to Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas, simply weeks earlier than the homicide. Their water was linked two weeks earlier than their deaths.
Some details about Prairie Grove – the inhabitants is round 7,000.
Prairie Grove, Arkansas, is a metropolis in Washington County recognized for its historical past, notably the Battle of Prairie Grove through the Civil Conflict. It’s additionally acknowledged for its agricultural heritage, charming downtown, and proximity to Northwest Arkansas. Town presents a mix of historic significance, a small-town environment, and entry to facilities in close by Fayetteville.
Previous to the transfer, each Clint and Cristen had labored within the medical area. Clint had labored as a nurse aide and Cristen had been a nurse. Clinton had been attributable to begin a job as a milk supply driver. Cristen had been licensed as a nurse in Montana and South Dakota earlier than the household moved.
In line with The Solar, Clint has an older daughter from a earlier relationship. Her identify is Breanna.
The couple have been mentioned to be light and ‘outdoorsy’.
“They have been outdoorsy individuals. They liked to take the women and go do out of doors issues and go mountain climbing. They liked each minute of it,” Mary Hinebauch, a fellow choir member from their former church in Miles Metropolis, Montana, instructed Fox.
“That wasn’t an unnatural place for them to be. They did tons of stuff like that.”
Mary mentioned that the household had moved to be nearer to Clinton’s mom. Cristen had mentioned the transfer was a brand new alternative for the household.
“It was a possibility to be nearer to household,” Mary mentioned. “And Clinton’s mom lived down there. And it was a possibility for them for some change of surroundings and to be down by his mother.”
A former colleague of the couple additionally spoke concerning the motive for the transfer “Clint’s oldest daughter lately was married and I do know they needed to be nearer to household. They didn’t have household out right here in Fast,”
Mary additionally spoke about Cristen’s parenting.
“She had the 2 toddlers when she lived right here. I’m 65 years previous, and I all the time stood again and thought, ‘Oh, I want I might have had that persistence,’” she mentioned.
“They have been out in the neighborhood. Everyone knew them — you realize, with the little youngsters, and he or she was concerned in mothers’ teams,” Mary mentioned.
She remembered Cristen because the type of one that gave what she had — even when it wasn’t a lot.
“They didn’t have quite a bit, however she all the time had an additional hand for someone else in the event that they wanted something,” she mentioned. “She touched individuals’s lives simply by her softness. And her expertise was unbelievable. Her singing was only a actual present.”
Amy, one other buddy of the household mentioned that they have been ‘fantastic individuals.’
“She [Cristin] bought A’s in nursing faculty whereas elevating infants and caring for her household,” she instructed Fox. “She was concerned in volleyball at Miles Neighborhood Faculty, the place she graduated along with her nursing diploma.”
“I liked her a lot, and it simply doesn’t appear actual. Simply appears there ought to be one thing I might do to take all this horrible tragedy again. Sadly, they’re gone.”
Obituaries for the couple have been launched and we’ve got discovered extra about them:
Clinton and Cristen shared a wedding rooted in religion, laughter, and journey. Whether or not mountain climbing as a household, kayaking, or spending days at theme parks with their daughters, they lived for the easy joys that constructed lasting reminiscences. They have been one another’s greatest buddy, greatest cheerleader, and fixed teammate—actually one in coronary heart and objective. They have been fiercely loyal to one another, their households, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Clinton David Brink, born June 14, 1982, had a coronary heart that beat for others. A Licensed Nursing Assistant and supply driver, Clinton was beloved by all who met him. His sufferers and coworkers knew him as type, light, and unfailingly reliable. His household knew him as the person who made them chuckle, comforted them with energy and humility, and liked them with out situation. He usually apologized—even when it wasn’t wanted—as a result of peace and understanding have been extra vital to him than satisfaction. Clinton’s best achievement, by far, was being a loving husband and proud father to his three daughters. He was lately honored as “Worker of the Month” as a CNA, a mirrored image of his quiet excellence and look after others.
Cristen Amanda Brink (Trent), born June 11, 1984, was a vibrant and compassionate soul. She was a Godly girl of precept and lived her religion to others. A registered nurse with each a nursing and math levels, Cristen blended intelligence with empathy in each side of her life. Her sufferers noticed her as a beacon of care, and her household knew her because the sturdy, humorous, and deeply loving girl who all the time confirmed up for them. An awarded volleyball participant by her highschool, school, and professionally, Cristen carried the identical power and resilience into motherhood, friendships and marriage. She had a ardour for singing, crocheting, and needle level crafting. Greater than something, she delighted in her household—her husband and three daughters have been her world. She liked her mother and father, and brothers and introduced them pleasure.
The murders occurred on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
That is some details about Satan’s Den State Park.
Satan’s Den State Park is a 2,500-acre (1,000 ha) Arkansas state park in Washington County, close to West Fork, Arkansas in the USA. Park facilities have been constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, starting in 1933. Satan’s Den State Park is within the Lee Creek Valley within the Boston Mountains, that are the southwestern a part of The Ozarks. The park, with an 8 acres (3.2 ha) CCC-built lake, is open for year-round recreation, with trails for mountain climbing, mountain biking and horseback using. Satan’s Den State Park additionally has a number of picnic areas, a swimming pool and cabins, with tenting websites starting from trendy to primitive.
A neighbor of the Brinks’, named Shyanne Marie, instructed the media that she noticed the household leaving their residence within the morning of July 26. Satan’s Den was round a 30 minute drive from their residence. “We seen them Saturday morning, leaving their home. They waved at us and our children and went about their day,” she mentioned.
“We have been good mates with the neighbors who lived there earlier than them so after they moved in we needed to introduce ourselves to them and meet our new neighbors,” she mentioned, including their youngsters had already begun taking part in collectively.
“Additionally they had a canine and so will we. So we bonded over that first.
“My boyfriend has had a short dialog with them, they acknowledged how they moved right here from South Dakota.
“We dwell in such a superb, quiet city we’ve not ever had something occur like this in so lengthy, particularly so near residence.”
The primary name got here into Washington County EMS simply earlier than 2.30pm. A doable assault was reported.
Regulation enforcement responded to the scene and began to seek for a suspect and victims.
“Two kids are there. They suggested that their mother and father have been assaulted. One was presumably stabbed. The mother and father are lacking,” somebody mentioned, in accordance with police audio obtained by CBS affiliate KFSM-TV.
One responder heading towards the scene radioed that they heard “yelling calling for assist.”
By the point authorities reached the household, it was too late. Clinton and Cristen have been lifeless. On the time, their causes of dying weren’t made public.
“We discovered the victims down right here,” responders are heard saying within the audio. “They’re on the decrease Satan’s Den trails the place I’ve bought two, two our bodies.”
At 8.40pm, Arkansas State Police launched details about the suspect and the manhunt that was ongoing.
They mentioned that the suspect was final seen sporting a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up, darkish pants, a darkish baseball cap, sun shades, a black backpack, and fingerless gloves.
Arkansas State Police mentioned the male suspect was believed to be driving a black four-door sedan, presumably a Mazda, with tape over the license plate.
Investigators requested anybody who was on the park on the day to examine any images or movies they took for photographs of the suspect, in addition to residents within the surrounding space to inform ASP if they’ve entry to safety and recreation digicam footage.
Fortunately, the youngsters have been unharmed and have been taken into the care of relations.
“Clinton and Cristen died heroes defending their little ladies they usually deserve justice. They may endlessly dwell on in all of our hearts,” the Brink and Osgood household mentioned in a press release.
Shyanne, their neighbor, spoke about listening to the information of the murders.
“I cried as a result of I actually couldn’t consider it. We had simply talked to them, so actually it was arduous to consider,” she mentioned.
“My coronary heart hurts so unhealthy for his or her little ladies, they didn’t deserve this. I couldn’t think about at 9 and seven watching my mother and father murdered in entrance of me.”
Shea Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Division of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, mentioned that rangers had stepped up patrols at Satan’s Den.
“Our hearts are with the victims’ family members throughout this extremely troublesome time,” Shea mentioned. “The security of our guests and employees is our highest precedence, and we’re working carefully with Arkansas State Police and varied regulation enforcement officers because the investigation continues.”
Authorities launched each a sketch and a photograph of the suspect they have been looking for.
On Wednesday July 30, 2025, Andrew James McGann (28) was arrested whereas at a barbershop in Springdale, Arkansas. Springdale is round 30 miles from Satan’s Den. He was charged with two counts of capital homicide.
Main Stacie Rhoads mentioned that Andrew was cooperative through the arrest and admitted to killing Clinton and Cristen. Police additionally matched his DNA to blood discovered on the crime scene.
“In my 27 years that I’ve been with the State Police, that is in all probability some of the heinous that we’ve had, particularly the facet of simply how random it was,” Main Rhoads mentioned.
Authorities spoke about how they made the arrest.
The State Police collected images and movies from different hikers who didn’t witness the assault however have been on the paths at across the identical time. Police additionally launched a composite sketch and a photograph that confirmed an individual of curiosity from behind.
The police then narrowed down the suspect’s automobile, which had tape over the license plate, utilizing surveillance footage from houses and companies close to Satan’s Den.
Inside an hour of Andrew being recognized as a suspect, he was caught on the barber store.
Andrew had lately moved to the realm from Oklahoma.
He had been employed at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound, Texas through the 2022-23 faculty 12 months. He was positioned on administrative depart within the spring of 2023 and later resigned after Lewisville ISD investigated him for “issues associated to classroom administration, skilled judgment, and pupil favoritism.”
Lewisville ISD mentioned its inside investigation discovered no proof of inappropriate habits with college students.
He had additionally labored beforehand as a trainer at Damaged Arrow (all the time Damaged Arrow) Public Faculties through the 2023-24 faculty 12 months. He had labored as a fifth grade trainer at Sand Springs Public Faculties through the 2024-25 faculty 12 months.
Damaged Arrow Faculty District mentioned that McGann left of his personal accord. “As with all workers employed by the district, he was subjected to and handed the legally required background checks previous to being employed,” a spokesperson mentioned.
Andrea had additionally been employed by the Plano ISD in Texas for simply 4 days in 2024, earlier than he resigned. This information is from CBS:
Andrew held a instructing place within the North Texas district from Aug. 6 to Aug. 9, 2024. He resigned voluntarily earlier than the primary day of faculty on Aug. 13, 2024, and didn’t have direct contact with college students, a district spokesperson mentioned.
He had been employed as a trainer for the upcoming faculty 12 months. He had not began his employment on the time of the murders.
Mother and father who had kids in Andrew’s courses have spoken to the media.
“I used to be shocked and horrified and saddened, but in addition offended,” mentioned Sierra Marcum, whose son was in his class. “Actually, there have been indicators that not all was proper with Mr. McGann.”
In August 2022, Andrew launched himself to households on the Lewisville ISD elementary faculty in a now-deleted Fb submit.
Sierra mentioned her son had expressed discomfort with how Andrew handled feminine college students, claiming he gave them further treats and saved some in his classroom alone throughout recess.
“Actually, the tipping level for him, I feel, was when he overheard Mr. McGann inform one of many little ladies, ‘When you have been older, I might like to marry you,’” Sierra mentioned. “That was the day he got here residence and began crying.”
Springdale Public Faculties Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland mentioned: “This particular person has not at any time come into contact with Springdale college students or the households we serve. Presently, we can’t supply any further info as a result of ongoing investigation.”
After the arrest, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders made a press release “When you commit a violent, mindless act right here in our state, our regulation enforcement will hunt you down and produce you to justice, as a result of that’s what the individuals of Arkansas frankly deserve,” she mentioned.
On July 31, we discovered some extra concerning the circumstances surrounding the murders.
It was alleged that Andrew fatally stabbed Clinton. Cristen took the youngsters to security and returned again to assist her husband.
“She didn’t return all the way in which to the automotive with the children,” mentioned Maj. Stacie Rhoads of the Arkansas State Police. “We consider that the mom took them to security after which returned to assist her husband.”
Cristen was additionally stabbed to dying.
Investigators have acknowledged that there isn’t any recognized connection between the Brinks’ and their killer and that they consider the assault was completely random.
Regardless of him having no prison file, police have introduced that they’re exploring the likelihood that Andrew has been concerned in different crimes.
“I absolutely anticipate that different jurisdictions will in all probability attain out to us to see if there are instances all through the U.S. which may be linked to him,” mentioned Maj. Stacie Rhoads, with the Arkansas State Police.
Vermont State Police mentioned that they’re wanting into doable connections between Andrew and the 2023 homicide of Honoree Fleming in Castleton, Vermont.
In a press release, Vermont State Police mentioned as soon as they heard concerning the arrest, detectives reached out to their counterparts in Arkansas as a part of an ongoing investigation into the 2023 homicide of Vermont State College Dean Honoree Fleming.
Honoree was shot and killed on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Path.
A number of witnesses reported saying that they witnessed the particular person believed to be concerned in Honoree’s dying as a younger man in his 20’s with crimson hair, standing at 5 ft, 10 inches.
Witnesses reported that the person was performing odd, and multiple particular person noticed him, police have mentioned. They didn’t know if the taking pictures was random or focused.
On-line detention data say Andrew is 6 ft tall and weighs 180 kilos.
On Monday August 11, Andrew pleaded not responsible to 2 counts of capital homicide. He was ordered to be held with out bond till his trial begins. The trial is scheduled November 14, 2025. Prosecutor Brandon Carter requested that Andrew haven’t any contact with the victims’ households. He additionally mentioned that as a result of the prosecution is in search of the dying penalty on this case, he expects the case to take longer than normal to litigate.
Nationwide Crime Survey information signifies that 46 p.c of violent crimes (rape, theft, and assault) have been dedicated by complete strangers, 11 p.c have been dedicated by these recognized to the sufferer by sight solely, 13 p.c have been dedicated by mates and acquaintances, and eight p.c have been dedicated by relations.
SOURCE LIST
https://www.wmur.com/article/arkansas-devils-den-mcgann-vermont-murder/65626419
https://www.luginbuel.com/deceased-records/particular person/clintonandcristen-brink-1982-2025
https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-state-park-stabbing-deaths-0366548e23a690beb4bb26f138a8cddc
https://individuals.com/devils-den-mom-killed-saving-kids-ran-back-husband-11783029
https://www.wmur.com/article/arkansas-devils-den-mcgann-vermont-murder/65626419
https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-help-raise-funds-to-lay-clinton-and-cristen-to-rest
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/violent-crime-strangers-and-nonstrangers
