Manhunt Underway in Arkansas After Couple Is Killed in State Park
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Arkansas police searching for murderer who killed couple at Devil’s Den, cops didn’t alert public of double homicide for 6 hours
Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen, 41, were found dead on a walking trail at Devil’s Den State Park in northwestern Arkansas. They were attacked in front of their two daughters — ages 7 and 9 — who were found safe and uninjured nearby. Reporters received tips of a massive police presence in the area at 4:30 p.m., but were told to leave the area and given no info, 5News said. Police described the park as “a remote and rural area, where the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service.’ “We remain committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and to maintaining Arkansas State Parks as safe, welcoming places for all,” an official said.
Calls first came in at 2:30 p.m. that there was a potential assault in the eerily named state park — with first responders then hearing screams, according to 5News.
By the time they caught up to the family, it was too late, and parents Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead, officials said.
6 Clinton Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen, 41, were found dead on a walking trail at Devil’s Den State Park in northwestern Arkansas. Facebook / Cristen Brink
6 Police described the park as “a remote and rural area, where the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service.” Tamara Harding – stock.adobe.com
They were attacked in front of their two daughters — ages 7 and 9 — who were found safe and uninjured nearby.
Police did not elaborate on how or when the couple was killed. Reporters received tips of a massive police presence in the area at 4:30 p.m., but were told to leave the area and given no info, 5News said.
6 Clinton and Cristen Brink were murdered at an Arkansas state park while hiking with their children. Facebook / Cristen Brink
It was not until 8:40 p.m. — roughly six hours after the initial call — that Arkansas State Police released the first warning that a massive manhunt was underway, the outlet noted.
The delay was blamed on how “the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service.”
6 Cristen and Clinton Brink were found dead on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Facebook / Clinton Brink
“The location is in remote, rural Arkansas,” an ASP spokesperson told 5News. “It took time for our special agents to arrive on scene, locate witnesses, conduct interviews, and collaborate information so we released the appropriate information.”
Police issued an updated description of the suspect on Sunday and said he was last seen wearing a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up rather than a tank top as initially reported.
6 Clinton Brink with his daughters, ages 9 and 7. Facebook / Clinton Brink
He is described as having a medium build, wearing dark pants, a red baseball cap and sunglasses. Police said he also had a backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves.
The suspect was seen driving into the park in a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with its license plate covered by tape.
Shea Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said in a statement that the state has “increased law enforcement presence in our state parks.”
6 Cristen and Clinton Brink had just moved to Arkansas before they were murdered, police said. Facebook / Clinton Brink
“Our Park Rangers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers, and they are actively engaged in ensuring the safety and security of our park guests,” he said. “We remain committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and to maintaining Arkansas State Parks as safe, welcoming places for all.”
Devil’s Den State Park — nestled in Ozark National Forest about 30 miles south of Fayetteville — is a tourist destination famous for its caves, rock formations and thousands of acres of woods.
Clinton and Cristen Brink: Arkansas couple killed in front of young daughters, cop not revealing how they were murdered
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brinks, 41, were hiking with their two young daughters in Devil’s Den State Park in Ozark Mountains tourism region. The young daughters were unharmed but the case became mysterious as police said the deaths are being investigated as a double murder but did not reveal how they were killed. The cops did not even alert the public that a double murderer was on the run.
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The young daughters were unharmed but the case became mysterious as police said the deaths are being investigated as a double murder but did not reveal how they were killed. The cops did not even alert the public that a double murderer was on the run.
The first calls came at 2.30 pm Sunday, reporting a potential assault in the theme park, the name of which is already very eerie. When the first responders reached the place, the couple were already dead.
At around 8.40 pm, the Arkansas State Police released the first warning that a massive manhunt was underway. The delay in alerting the public was blamed on no cellphone service at the rugged terrain.
“The location is in remote, rural Arkansas,” an ASP spokesperson told 5News. “It took time for our special agents to arrive on scene, locate witnesses, conduct interviews, and collaborate information so we released the appropriate information.”
Who is the Arkansas couple killer?
Police described the possible killer as a man wearing a ong-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He is described as having a medium build, wearing dark pants, a red baseball cap and sunglasses. Police said he also had a backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves.
The suspect was seen driving into the park in a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with its license plate covered by tape.
The Brinks had recently moved from another state to Prairie Grove, a small town in northwest Arkansas near the Oklahoma border, according to police. Authorities urged Saturday’s park visitors to review their photos and videos for images of the suspect. Investigators also asked residents in the area surrounding the park to check security and game camera recordings for possible leads.
Manhunt after couple ‘murdered’ while hiking with daughters on Devil’s Den trail
Manhunt after couple ‘murdered’ while hiking with daughters on Devil’s Den trail. Bodies of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brinks, 41, have been found at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. Police have launched a murder investigation following the deaths. They were on a hiking trail when they were “attacked”, with the bodies of the couple found and police alerted at around 2.40pm. The two children were not injured and are now safe with other family members. Police are appealing for information from people who were at the park on Saturday and especially from those who may have footage while the area is cordoned off. The suspect is described as a white male with a medium build. He was seen driving to the park exit in a Mazda which had its licence plate covered.
The bodies of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, have been found at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas, where they were hiking last Saturday with their young daughters
The bodies of Cristen and Clinton Brink have been found (Image: Cristen Brink/Facebook)
An urgent manhunt is underway after a couple were killed while hiking with their young daughters at a beauty spot. Police have launched a murder investigation following the deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who had two children aged seven and nine.
They family visited Devil’s Den State Park, Arkansas, US, on Saturday. They were on a hiking trail when they were “attacked”, with the bodies of the couple found and police alerted at around 2.40pm. The two children were not injured and are now safe with other family members.
The family had only recently moved to Prairie Grove from another state. Police are appealing for information from people who were at the park on Saturday and especially from those who may have footage while the area is cordoned off.
Cristen and Clinton Brink were hiking with their children when they died (Image: Jam Press)
Arkansas police stated: “Investigators are asking those who visited the park on Saturday to check cellphone photos and videos or GoPro camera footage for images of the suspect.
“They are also asking residents of the area surrounding the park to notify ASP if they have access to security and game camera footage. The area of the park where the incident occurred remains cordoned off and secured by law enforcement. The park is located in a remote and rural area, where the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service.”
Police at the scene of the incident (Image: KFSM 5 News Online)
Updated information has been released by the police of the suspect who is described as a white male with a medium build. He was seen driving to the park exit in a Mazda which had its licence plate covered.
Police said: “After receiving additional information, investigators now believe he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, with sleeves rolled up, rather than a tank top as originally reported.
“The suspect is an unknown white male with a medium build. He was wearing dark pants, a dark ballcap and sunglasses. The suspect had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan.
“The suspect’s vehicle may be a Mazda with a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape. It may have been traveling on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the park.
A manhunt is underway following the deaths of the couple (Image: Jam Press)
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“Anyone with images of the suspect, information about the suspect or his whereabouts should contact ASP Troop L at (479) 751-6663. Investigators urge anyone with photos or video to not post footage on social media, as this may inadvertently jeopardize the investigation.”
Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, issued a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Devil’s Den State Park. Our hearts are with the victims’ loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. The safety of our visitors and staff is our highest priority, and we are working closely with Arkansas State Police and various law enforcement officials as the investigation continues.
“We have increased law enforcement presence in our state parks. Our Park Rangers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers, and they are actively engaged in ensuring the safety and security of our park guests. We remain committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and to maintaining Arkansas State Parks as safe, welcoming places for all.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/us/arkansas-murder-devils-den-state-park.html