Cristen Brink saw the unimaginable (CNN). Then she took the unthinkable action.
Arkansas State Police report that Cristen’s husband Clinton was stabbed and assaulted by an assailant on Saturday while on a family trek in Devil’s Den State Park. According to investigators, she first fled with their young girls in order to protect them from harm. Then, in an attempt to save Clinton, Cristen Brink returned.
During a press conference on Thursday, state police Maj. Stacie Rhoads stated that the mother did not bring the children back all the way to the car. We think that after rescuing them, the mother went back to assist her husband.
The parents were killed by alleged attacker Andrew McGann, 28, according to investigators, while their daughters, ages 7 and 9, were telling other people at the park about what had happened. Two charges of capital murder are brought against McGann.
According to Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter, they “absolutely protected those girls to the fullest extent, to the point that it cost them their lives.” We are amazed by these parents. These girls also inspire us.
Prosecutors produced a probable cause affidavit stating that a hiker on the route spotted the Brink children and transported them to safety before discovering their parents’ bodies. Since there is no phone coverage in that area of the park, it took longer for the hiker to call 911 and report the deaths.
McGann was discreetly arrested at a hair shop four days after the killings, capping an extensive manhunt that had begun thirty miles away. According to state police, he confessed to the crimes when questioned by the police.
Victims and McGann were strangers.
McGann appeared in court for the first time Friday morning in Fayetteville; he has no documented criminal history as an adult. He just acknowledged his name, and he wore a striped jail outfit. McGann was granted a public defender by the judge, who also mandated that he be held in custody without release until his arraignment on August 25.
Shortly after being detained at a hair salon in Springdale, Arkansas, Andrew McGann is shown in a booking photo. | Washington County Sheriff’s Office via CNN Newsource
Investigators are still working to ascertain the reason behind the killings, even as they provide additional information about the specifics of the gruesome crime.
Carter stated, “We have no reason to believe that our suspect and our victims were associated in any way.” There is absolutely nothing to suggest that. It seems like an entirely arbitrary occurrence.
The youngsters who had just witnessed their parents being attacked initially gave the authorities the sole description of the culprit.
According to Carter, the beginning of all the data we’re using was two little girls who saw the most horrifying thing imaginable.
However, despite tape on the car that detectives think was intended to hide the model, a second witness who saw a guy leaving the path with blood on his face was able to identify the alleged killer’s vehicle—a Kia Stinger. They finally identified McGann as their top suspect after looking through Arkansas registration data, Rhoads said.
According to her, everyone conjectures that great care was taken to hide his identity. On the other hand, I will admit that he was also extremely careless.
When a lanky man with stringy blonde hair entered Lupita’s Beauty Salon & Barber Shop and requested a fade, the suspect’s car—which was the same one mentioned in public advisories—was parked in front of the establishment.
There was something strange about him. Adriana Ruiz, a hairdresser, told CNN affiliate KFSM on Thursday that he appeared to be somewhat frightening. He didn’t appear to be doing well. He lacked confidence. His eyes simply appeared sunken. Soulless, in a way.
According to police, McGann admitted the automobile was his when they arrived. According to a court filing, investigators observed multiple cuts on McGann’s hands during their conversation with him.
According to surveillance footage that the salon provided to CNN, McGann did not resist being handcuffed.
He was fully cooperative, according to Rhoads.
The probable cause statement states that blood was discovered in McGann’s automobile during a search.
According to the affidavit, he made remarks indicating that he had committed the two crimes after receiving his Miranda warnings.
Finding out more about the suspect’s history
Investigators claim the motive for the murders of Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41, is yet unknown. According to the district, McGann had relocated to Arkansas earlier this year and was scheduled to start teaching primary school in the Springdale Public Schools, CNN reported.
According to statements from Texas and Oklahoma school authorities, McGann had taught in three separate districts during the previous three years.
The Lewisville Independent School District told CNN that McGann was placed on administrative leave at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound, Texas, in the spring of 2023 due to issues with student favoritism, professional judgment, and classroom management.
According to the district, an internal inquiry revealed no proof of improper behavior with pupils. In May 2023, the educator left the district.
The prosecutor stated that they had no proof of any intention to physically harm the Brinks daughters, despite the fact that McGann’s closeness to young students had prompted legitimate concerns. According to what we now know, there are no signs that the girls were his intended target, Carter stated.
McGann may be subject to the death sentence.State police claim that McGann’s DNA matches blood evidence they gathered and that he admitted to killing the Brinks.
“I am certain that we have the right defendant in this case and that the public need not worry going forward,” Carter said, adding that the suspect in this case is innocent until proven guilty.
Col. Mike Hagar, director of the Arkansas State Police, stated, “We have no reason whatsoever to think that anyone else was involved.”
If McGann is found guilty, the main prosecutor says he will not hesitate to seek the death penalty.
There are aggravators in this case, so a jury should have the authority to determine the defendant’s penalty. “I plan to ask a jury that question,” Carter stated. In this instance, the death sentence will not be waived by the state.
Officials said that as the investigation moves slowly ahead, their first priority is to ensure that the girls who saw the attack and a third daughter who wasn’t at the park on Saturday receive the support they need as they move on without their parents.
According to Hagar, they have incredibly strong family support. Those three girls will receive excellent care, I’m sure of it.
