Introduction to the Incident
A suspect has been arrested in the killing of a couple who were attacked on an Arkansas hiking trail Saturday, state police said Wednesday.
James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, was arrested at 4:57 p.m. Wednesday at a business in Springdale and is charged with two counts of capital murder, Arkansas State Police said in a statement.
The Victims and the Arrest
He is accused of killing Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were attacked Saturday afternoon in front of their daughters while hiking at Devil’s Den State Park, police have said.
The arrest comes after a dayslong manhunt.
Reaction from Authorities
Col. Mike Hagar, the director of the Arkansas State Police, thanked state police for working long hours in the search for a suspect, as well as federal agencies for their assistance.
"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 said.
The Family and Investigation
The couple’s daughters are 7 and 9 years old. They were not injured in the attack and are safe with family members, officials said.
Katrina Hutchins, Clinton Brink’s sister, said they moved to the state about three weeks ago.
A police sketch of the Devils’ Den State Park murder suspect. Arkansas State Police
State police were notified of the killings at Devil’s Den shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday. Officials released a sketch of a suspect and asked the public for help. They said witnesses saw a black, four-door sedan with tape partially covering its license plate.
Statement from the Family
"Clinton and Cristen died heroes, protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live on in all of our hearts,” the family said in an earlier statement.
Authorities on Wednesday did not mention a suspected motive or how the killings occurred.
Location and Other Incidents
Devil’s Den State Park is around 26 miles south of Springdale, a city of around 84,000 in the northwestern part of the state.
A Florida couple found a 3.36-carat diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.
Conclusion
The arrest of James Andrew McGann brings some relief to the community and the family of the victims. The investigation is ongoing, and more details about the motive and the events surrounding the killings are expected to be revealed.
FAQs
Q: Who was arrested in connection with the killing of the couple in Arkansas?
A: James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder.
Q: Who were the victims of the attack?
A: Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were killed in the attack.
Q: What is the status of the couple’s daughters?
A: The couple’s daughters, aged 7 and 9, were not injured in the attack and are safe with family members.
Q: What was the location of the incident?
A: The incident occurred at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas.
