Cristen and Clinton Brink. Credit :
Clinton Brink/Facebook
- Cristen and Clinton Brink were fatally stabbed while hiking with their daughters, ages 7 and 9, in Devil’s Den State Park
- Police say Cristen led the children to safety before returning to help her husband; both died from their injuries
- Suspect Andrew James McGann, 28, was arrested five days later at a Springdale barbershop; the attack was “completely random,” officials say
Cristen Brink died trying to help her husband after first shepherding their two daughters to safety.
The 41-year-old mother was hiking with her family at Devil’s Den State Park on July 26 when police say Andrew James McGann, 28, fatally stabbed her husband, Clinton Brink, 43. As the attack unfolded, Cristen moved quickly to get their daughters — ages 7 and 9 — away from the scene.
“She did not return all the way to the car with the kids,” said Maj. Stacie Rhoads of the Arkansas State Police at a press conference Thursday. “We believe that the mother took them to safety and then returned to help her husband.”
Both Cristen and Clinton were stabbed and died from their injuries.
Arkansas Department of Public Safety
After a five-day manhunt, McGann was arrested at a barbershop in Springdale while getting a haircut. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with two counts of capital murder.
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Investigators say there is no known connection between McGann and the victims and believe the attack was completely random. The Brinks had recently moved to Prairie Grove. Their daughters were unharmed and are now in the care of family.
McGann had recently moved to Arkansas from out of state and was hired as a teacher, police said, but had not yet started working with students. Investigators have not identified a motive and say there were no prior warning signs before the attack.
