In an event that shocked the region, the Devil’s Den State Park, a popular hiking and camping destination, became the scene of a brutal double homicide in late July 2025. The case, marked by a swift manhunt and a community on edge, has brought to light the vulnerability of even the most tranquil public spaces.
The tragedy unfolded on Saturday, July 26, when Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were fatally stabbed while hiking a trail with their two young daughters, aged 7 and 9. The couple, who had recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from another state, were found by authorities after a 911 call reported an assault. The two girls were physically unharmed and were taken into the care of relatives. Arkansas State Police immediately launched a massive manhunt, seeking a suspect described as a white male with a medium build.
A combination of police work and public cooperation propelled the investigation. Authorities released a description and later a composite sketch of the suspect, appealing to anyone who had been at the park that day to review their photos and videos. The public’s response was overwhelming, with tips and surveillance videos pouring in, which proved to be instrumental in identifying and locating the suspect. The case drew national media attention with USA Today, ABC, NBC, and CBS broadcasting or publishing reports about the case.
Just five days after the attack, on July 30, Arkansas State Police special agents arrested 28-year-old Andrew James McGann at a barbershop in Springdale. McGann, a former teacher who had recently moved to the area, was charged with two counts of capital murder. Authorities have stated that the attack appeared to be random and that there was no known connection between McGann and the victims. Shortly after his arrest, police said McGann admitted to the killings, and his DNA was reportedly matched to blood found at the crime scene, which was a result of an injury he sustained during the attack. Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar, said, “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.”
In the ensuing legal proceedings, McGann was arraigned and entered a not guilty plea to both charges on Aug. 14 in front of Washington County Judge Joanna Taylor. He is currently being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center. Judge Taylor has scheduled the next hearing for Nov. 14.
Ron Wood, a reporter at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with almost 40 years of experience covering state and federal courts, expects that the public defenders representing McGann, Katherine Streett and James Wyatt, will begin filing motions challenging the legality of Arkansas’ death penalty. He explained that the filings are standard procedure in such cases.
Judge Taylor issued a “gag order” in the case on Aug. 28 to limit pre-trial publicity in the case. The judge’s order prohibits prosecutors and defense attorneys and their staffs from making any public statements regarding the evidence in the case, its weight or value, opinions as to McGann’s guilt or innocence and their opinions as to the likelihood of conviction. A gag order, according to the legal dictionary found at law.com, is a judge’s order prohibiting the attorneys and the parties to a pending lawsuit or criminal prosecution from talking to the media or the public about the case. The supposed intent is to prevent prejudice due to pre-trial publicity, which would influence potential jurors. A gag order has the secondary purpose of preventing the lawyers from trying the case in the press and on television, and thus creating a public mood in favor of one party or the other.