New developments have emerged in the investigation of a double homicide involving a married couple, who were tragically killed while hiking with their two young daughters.
On July 26, Arkansas authorities initiated an extensive manhunt to find the suspect after Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were discovered dead in Devil’s Den State Park.
The couple, who had recently moved from South Dakota to Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas close to the Oklahoma border, were attacked on a popular hiking trail with their daughters, ages seven and nine, at approximately 2.30pm.
Thankfully, the daughters were able to escape unharmed, although they reported witnessing their parents being stabbed at the popular tourist location, as noted by CNN.
According to the news outlet, police responded to a call from the visitor center where the children stated their parents had been “assaulted” and one “possibly stabbed.”
Arkansas police have now announced an arrest in connection with the double murder.
James Andrew McGann, a 28-year-old schoolteacher, was taken into custody at a hair salon in Springdale at 4.57pm on July 30 and has been charged with two counts of capital murder.
While no motive for the killings has been disclosed, McGann’s arrest follows a challenging five-day manhunt, during which police received numerous tips from “as far as Washington state.”
Authorities had earlier released a sketch of the suspect and an image of a person of interest as part of their appeal for public assistance.
The description also included a black, four-door sedan, potentially a Mazda, with tape partially covering its license plate as it exited the park.
In a public statement, the Brink family expressed that the couple had only resided in the area for a short time and had “died heroes, protecting their little girls, and they deserve justice.”
Regarding the suspect, McGann reportedly transitioned from Oklahoma to Arkansas, having resigned from his teaching position at Sand Springs Public Schools. He was set to begin a new role at Springdale Public Schools, according to district superintendent Jared Cleveland.
The school district indicated that McGann successfully completed all background checks and clarified that he “has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve.”
Colonel Mike Hagar, the director of state police, expressed gratitude to federal agencies and Arkansas police for their cooperation in McGann’s apprehension.
He stated: “I’m extremely grateful for the long hours and dedication that our Agents put forward in bringing justice to this family. The collaboration between State Police, other state and local law enforcement agencies, and our federal partners has been second to none,” as mentioned in a police news release.
“Because of their hard work and investigative skill, we were able to take a monster off the streets and bring relief to those two precious girls and the rest of our citizens,” Hagar added.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders commented: “If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state, our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice, because that’s what the people of Arkansas frankly deserve.”
“Our entire state is grieving for the tragic loss and senseless and horrific crime that’s taken place,” reports ABC News. “One of the worst experiences that certainly I’ve ever had was making a phone call to the Brink family earlier this week. Nothing like that should ever have taken place.”
McGann is currently detained at the Washington County jail in Arkansas.