Credited from: CBSNEWS
Authorities have made an arrest in connection with the double homicide of Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were found dead while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil's Den State Park. A 28-year-old man, James Andrew McGann from Springdale, has been charged with two counts of capital murder, according to ABC News and HuffPost.
Police reported that the Brinks were "fatally attacked" while walking on Saturday, July 26, but the details regarding the nature of the attack and how the couple was killed have not yet been disclosed. The couple's daughters, aged 7 and 9, were unharmed and are in the care of family members, as stated by CBS News and ABC News.
Prior to McGann's arrest, police had disseminated a composite sketch of a person of interest, along with a photo of a man who was seen in the park on the day of the incident. This individual was described as wearing a dark ball cap, sunglasses, and fingerless gloves, and was observed driving a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, which had a covered license plate, according to HuffPost and CBS News.
The Arkansas State Police confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing, with the FBI offering assistance to help resolve the case. Investigators had previously urged anyone who visited Devil's Den State Park on the day of the attack to examine their photos or videos for any clues, as detailed by HuffPost and CBS News.
Statements from the Brink family expressed their loss, noting that Clinton and Cristen "died heroes protecting their little girls." This tragic event has prompted state officials, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, to emphasize the importance of public safety and the commitment to addressing violent crime in the state, according to ABC News and HuffPost.