James McGann is an alleged killer who has been charged with the murders of Cristen and Clinton Brink in Arkansas
According to police reports the children of Cristen and Clinton Brink would walk up to a Ranger’s station at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas asking for help.
The bodies of Cristen and Clinton Brink would be found soon after
A manhunt would take place and eventually James McGann would be arrested and charged with the double murder.
As for the motive investigators are staying quiet. What we do know is the Cristen and Clinton Brink had just move to Arkansas within the last month and James McGann was also new to the State and was suppose to start employment as a teacher
James McGann News
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a double homicide at an Arkansas park, after a married couple was found dead on a walking trail over the weekend, authorities said.
James McGann, 28, of Springdale, Arkansas, was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of capital murder in the killings of 43-year-old Clinton David Brink and his wife, 41-year-old Cristen Amanda Brink, Arkansas State Police announced Wednesday evening.
The Brinks were “fatally attacked” while out hiking with their two daughters at Devil’s Den State Park on July 26, police said. The children, ages 7 and 9, were not harmed in the incident.
James McGann was arrested shortly before 5 p.m. local time at a business in Springdale, about 30 miles north of the park, state police said. At a news conference Wednesday night, an official said the business McGann was arrested at was a hair salon.
The official said James McGann had recently moved to the area from Oklahoma and had been hired to work at a local school.
Asked about a motive, investigators declined to comment, saying the case is still active and that it would be premature to do so.
“Our entire state is grieving for the tragic loss and senseless and horrific crime that’s taken place,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, adding, “One of the worst experiences that certainly I’ve ever had was making a phone call to the Brink family earlier this week. Nothing like that should ever have taken place.”
Police previously said the suspect was seen leaving the area of the park in a black, four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with a license plate covered by tape, police said.
Arkansas State Police had released a composite sketch and photo from behind of a man who was seen in Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday, the day of the killings. Police asked for the public’s help in identifying the man, who they said was wanted for questioning in connection with the double homicide.
The FBI assisted Arkansas State Police with its investigation “by providing additional manpower and specialized resources.”
Police have not yet revealed how the Brinks were killed
The Brinks had recently moved to Prairie Grove from another state, police said.
The children are safe and in the custody of relatives, according to police.
All trails at Devil’s Den State Park, which were closed following the killings, will remain closed for now, Arkansas Secretary of Parks Shay Lewis said.
James McGann More News
A man has been arrested and charged after a married couple were killed while on a hike in Arkansas with their two young daughters.
On Wednesday, July 30 at 4:57 p.m. local time, James McGann, 28, of Springdale, was taken into custody at a business in Springdale by Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP), a news release confirmed.
The arrest comes after Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were fatally attacked while hiking at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday, July 26. They were with their girls, aged 7 and 9, at the time. The children “were not injured and are safe with family members,” the ASP said in the release.
James McGann has been charged with two counts of capital murder, police confirmed.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said of the update following the killing, “No news can heal the enormous harm done to the Brink family in last weekend’s crime, but this announcement is a comfort and reassurance for our State.”
“I am so proud of the Arkansas State Police, Park Rangers, local law enforcement, and others who have worked nonstop since last weekend to capture this suspect,” Huckabee Sanders continued, per the release.
“I ask that Arkansans lift up prayers of thanks for the brave men and women of law enforcement – and offer prayers of condolence to the victims of this horrific crime. Let there be no mistake – we do not tolerate violent crime in Arkansas. If you target innocent people, law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” she concluded.
ASP Colonel Mike Hagar added, “I’m extremely grateful for the long hours and dedication that our Agents put forward in bringing justice to this family,” per the post.
“The collaboration between State Police, other state and local law enforcement agencies, and our federal partners has been second to none. 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,” he continued.
According to NBC News, citing Katrina Hutchins, Clinton Brink’s sister. the victims had moved to the state around three weeks ago,
ASP Major Stacie Rhoads told reporters that James McGann had recently moved to Arkansas from Oklahoma and had gotten a job to work at a local school, the outlet stated.
“We’re still exploring and determining exactly what that motive [for the killings] was,” Rhoads said on Wednesday night, according to NBC News.
The arrest came a day after police released “a composite sketch of a man” they were “seeking to identify for questioning in connection with the double homicide.”
The Brink family previously provided a statement to local station KHBS-TV, saying that the parents died while “protecting their little girls” from the attacker.
“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult time as they grieve and learn how to navigate this new reality,” they said in the statement.
“They ask that if anyone has any information at all that will help in the investigation to please contact the proper authorities immediately. Clinton and Cristen died heroes protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live in all of our hearts,” the message added.
