An Arkansas Park Ranger patrols the South Entrance of Devils Den State Park Monday, July 28, 2025, in West Fork, Ark. Police in Arkansas are trying to find a suspect within the deaths of a pair who investigators mentioned had been attacked whereas on a wooded strolling path with their two younger daughters. (AP Picture/Michael Woods)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A trainer who authorities say admitted to fatally stabbing a pair he didn’t know who had been mountaineering with two of their youngsters in an Arkansas state park is anticipated to have his first courtroom look Friday.
Andrew James McGann, 28, has been charged with two counts of capital homicide within the killing Saturday of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41. He’s being held with out bond and is anticipated to look on the Washington County Detention Heart.
Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar mentioned authorities are attempting to find out a motive for the assault at Satan’s Den, a 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) state park close to West Fork, about 140 miles (220 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock, the state capital. Its trails have been closed to the general public since Saturday.
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State Police arrested McGann on Wednesday at a barbershop in Springdale, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of the park, mentioned Maj. Stacie Rhoads, commander of the division’s legal investigation division.
Washington County prosecutor Brandon Carter mentioned he didn’t know if McGann has a lawyer or will want a public defender. The Related Press has left messages at numbers listed for McGann, who has no legal report.
Officers mentioned the husband was stabbed first, about half a mile (0.8 kilometers) into the park, then the mom ushered her youngsters to security earlier than returning to assist her husband. She was additionally stabbed to demise.
Authorities haven’t mentioned if the ladies — ages 7 and 9 — witnessed each their dad and mom being killed. They weren’t damage and are being cared for by members of the family, authorities mentioned.
McGann was cooperative in the course of the arrest and admitted to killing the couple quickly after, Rhoads mentioned. Police additionally matched his DNA to blood discovered on the crime scene. The case is distressing even to the police.
“In my 27 years that I’ve been with the State Police, that is in all probability one of the vital heinous that we’ve had, particularly the facet of simply how random it was,” Rhoads mentioned.
Police flooded with suggestions
McGann was arrested after a five-day search and lots of of suggestions.
The State Police collected images and movies from different hikers who didn’t witness the assault however had 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 car, which had tape over the license plate, utilizing surveillance footage from houses and companies close to Satan’s Den.
Inside an hour of McGann being recognized as a suspect, he was caught on the barber store.
Carter indicated the state would give a jury the choice to condemn McGann to the demise penalty.
Suspect taught in different states earlier than Arkansas job.
McGann has lively educating licenses in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, in accordance with every respective authorities certification web site. No infractions or suspensions are famous on his public state licensures in any of these states. The Related Press has reached out to all three state training businesses.
McGann was positioned on administrative go away in spring 2023 whereas he was employed at Donald Elementary Faculty in Flower Mound, Texas, “following issues associated to classroom administration, skilled judgment, and pupil favoritism,” in accordance with a spokesperson for the Lewisville Unbiased Faculty District.
Sierra Marcum, whose son was in McGann’s fourth grade class, mentioned the trainer got here throughout as “fairly chilly” and “disinterested in his college students.” Marcum mentioned her son had come residence from faculty upset about a few of McGann’s habits, which she reported to the college’s principal.
Lewisville posting
McGann resigned from the Lewisville posting in Might 2023, the district mentioned in an announcement.
He additionally taught at a small Oklahoma faculty district from the summer season of 2024 till Might this yr. He resigned to take a job in one other state, in accordance with an announcement from Sand Springs Public Faculties, close to Tulsa. The district mentioned McGann handed all background checks.
Legislation enforcement hasn’t contacted Sand Springs Public Faculties concerning the investigation, district spokesperson Lissa Chidester mentioned.
McGann had not but began his new job in Arkansas at Springdale Public Faculties, mentioned Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent. He mentioned the district couldn’t present extra data, citing the investigation.
The victims had simply arrived in Arkansas.
The Brinks and their three daughters had not too long ago moved from South Dakota to the small metropolis of Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas.
Clinton Brink was supposed to begin working as a milk supply driver on Monday, in accordance with Hiland Dairy, his employer. Cristen Brink had been licensed as a nurse in Montana and South Dakota earlier than transferring to Arkansas.
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The Brink household mentioned the couple died “heroes defending their little women.”
