This couple were hiking in the woods with their girls, they never came out

A teacher has pleaded guilty to fatally attacking a couple on a hike with their two children, in what appears to be a random attack.

Cristen and Clinton Brink had brought their children for a walk in Devil's Den State Park, in the US state of Arkansas. The two young girls, aged seven and nine, sadly returned home without their parents, who did everything to get them out of harm's way.

The family was walking along when a man, who has since been identified as 28-year-old Andrew James McGann, jumped out and began attacking Clinton. Cristen ran off with the two children and hid them before running back to Clinton, she was then attacked and killed.

Their daughters waited where their mum had left them, unaware of the horror that unfolded. Luckily, another hiker spotted them and brought them to safety.

A witness had spotted a man leaving the trail with blood on his face and reported the sighting to the police. Police were able to identify his car and found what appeared to be blood inside.

Perhaps the most alarming part of the crime is that the murderer was a teacher for primary school students and had been working in the education sector since 2022.

He was arrested on Wednesday at a barbershop around 48 kilometres away from the park, police reported.

'I can confirm that we have absolutely no indication, no reason whatsoever to believe there was any connection at all between our suspect and our victims,' Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said.

Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter praised the late couple's actions in the moments leading up to their untimely death, and how the two children have coped with the horrific event.

'They absolutely protected those girls to their fullest extent, to the point that it cost them their lives,' Carter said, per CNN. 'We're in awe of this mum and dad. We're also in awe of these girls.'

Andrew James McGann has been charged with two counts of capital murder, with police saying he admitted to the crime while in custody. He is currently being held without bond.

Cristen and Clinton's family has asked for privacy at this extremely difficult time as 'they grieve and learn how to navigate this new reality.'

'Clinton and Cristen died heroes protecting their little girls, and they deserve justice. They will forever live in all of our hearts,' they told ABC.