Teacher arrested for Arkansas double murder while getting haircut: Police

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 Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, Arkansas, was 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.

Washington County Sheriff - PHOTO: The booking photo for James Andrew McGann.

Following a dayslong manhunt for the suspect, McGann was arrested shortly before 5 p.m. local time at a hair salon in Springdale, about 30 miles north of the park, police said.

The official said McGann had recently moved to the area from Oklahoma and had been hired to work at a local school.

Courtesy Arkansas State Police - PHOTO: Arkansas State Police said James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, was arrested in the double slaying of Clinton and Cristen Brink.

He was hired to teach in the Springdale Public Schools district this upcoming school year but had not yet begun employment, according to the district's superintendent, Jared Cleveland.

"This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve," Cleveland said in a statement, adding that no additional information is available at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

"Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers," he said.

McGann was a fifth grade teacher in Broken Arrows, Oklahoma, during the 2023-2024 school year, the school district said. He passed required background checks, a Broken Arrow Public Schools spokesperson said.

Michael Woods/AP - PHOTO: The North Entrance of Devil's Den State Park in West Fork, Arkansas, July 28, 2025.

MORE: Police release photo of person of interest sought after couple killed while hiking in Arkansas park

Asked about a motive in the double homicide, investigators declined to comment, saying the case is still active and that it would be premature to do so.

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 also 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.

Arkansas State Police - PHOTO: Arkansas State Police released this photo of a person of interest sought in connection with a double homicide at Devil's Den State Park.

Arkansas State Police - PHOTO: Arkansas State Police released a sketch of a person of interest sought in connection with a double homicide at Devil's Den State Park.

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.

"Our entire state is grieving for the tragic loss and senseless and horrific crime that's taken place," Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. "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."

MORE: Suspect on the run after killing couple hiking with their 2 kids at Arkansas' Devil's Den State Park: Police

Michael Woods/AP - PHOTO: The trail head to the Devil's Den trail at Devils Den State Park remains closed, July 28, 2025, in West Fork, Ark.

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.