(CNN) In Devil’s Den State Park in the Arkansas Ozark Mountains tourist area, a couple was attacked and killed while hiking with their two young girls. Police are currently looking for a culprit.
Clinton According to a statement from the Arkansas State Police, David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were discovered dead on a park walking track. Investigators stated that the couple’s murders are being looked at as a double homicide but did not specify how they were slain.
The visitor center called Washington County, claiming that Broadcastify.com had recorded police radio sounds. There are two kids present. They reported that their parents had been beaten. One might have been stabbed. There are no parents present.
According to authorities, their 7 and 9-year-old girls were uninjured and are now safe with relatives.
Police said the Brinks had recently relocated to Prairie Grove, a small community in northwest Arkansas close to the Oklahoma border, from another state.
According to officials, the murders took place in a section of the park with rough terrain, dense forest, and no telephone coverage. According to an Arkansas State Parks handbook, the Devil’s Den Trail is a 1.5-mile rugged hike that usually takes two to three hours.
According to a post on the park’s website, all trails are closed until further notice.
According to Arkansas State Police, they were alerted about the deaths at approximately 2:40 p.m. and requested the public’s assistance in identifying the perpetrator.
In a statement, police identified the suspect as a medium-built white man who was last seen with a black bag, dark jeans, a dark ballcap, fingerless gloves, sunglasses, and a shirt with long sleeves rolled up. According to authorities, the suspect was observed driving a black, four-door sedan—possibly a Mazda—with a license plate covered in duct or electrical tape in the direction of a park exit.
According to authorities, the car might have driven along State Highways 170 or 220 close to the park.
Visitors to the park on Saturday were asked by authorities to check their pictures and videos for any glimpses of the culprit. In order to look for any leads, investigators also asked locals living close to the park to review security and game camera footage.
Authorities cautioned that posting any video on social media could unintentionally compromise the investigation.
While the investigation continues, the location where the deaths occurred has been roped off.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the governor of Arkansas, described the killings as “horrible” and stated that the state is closely collaborating with the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism and State Police in their efforts to capture the culprit.
In response to the killings, Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, announced that law enforcement would be more present in state parks throughout the state.
