Manhunt for Arkansas Suspect
A manhunt is underway in Arkansas after a married couple was found dead while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park. Authorities say the victims, 43-year-old Clinton David Brink and 41-year-old Cristen Amanda Brink, were killed during a family hike on Saturday, July 26. The couple’s daughters, ages 7 and 9, were found unharmed after walking alone to the park’s visitor center to report their parents missing. Police were alerted shortly after 5 p.m., launching an immediate investigation and large-scale search effort.
Arkansas State Police have identified the case as a double homicide but have not released the specific cause or manner of death, pending autopsy results. The suspect, described as a white male of medium build wearing dark pants, a dark cap, fingerless gloves, rolled-up long sleeves, and sunglasses, is believed to have fled the scene in a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda. Witnesses reported that the vehicle’s license plate was partially obscured with tape. The suspect was last seen exiting the park via Arkansas State Highway 170 or 220, prompting a regional manhunt and increased patrols across surrounding areas.
Devil’s Den State Park, located in the remote Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, presents challenges for investigators due to its dense forest, rugged trails, and limited cell service. Officials have since closed off certain areas of the park and are urging the public to refrain from sharing any potential surveillance footage online, instead requesting that all relevant evidence be submitted directly to authorities. Visitors to the park that day are being asked to review personal photos, videos, and dashcam footage for anything unusual or for sightings of the suspect.
In a statement to ABC News, the Brink family said Clinton and Cristen “died heroes protecting their little girls” and called on the public to help bring the perpetrator to justice. The couple had recently relocated to Prairie Grove and were enjoying a family hike when they were attacked. Their daughters are now in the care of relatives.
Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate. No motive has been announced, and no arrests have been made as of Monday, July 28. Officials from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism have pledged full support to the investigation, while Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has also been briefed on the situation. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Arkansas State Police Troop L at (479) 751-6663. The incident has shocked the community and raised urgent questions about safety in state parks across the region.
Devil’s Den State Park spans more than 2,500 acres and is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Ozarks, known for its caves, trails, and Civilian Conservation Corps-era architecture. The park remains partially closed as the manhunt continues. Law enforcement has not ruled out that the suspect could still be in the area or may have fled the state. With the community reeling and a killer still at large, the Brinks’ deaths have cast a grim shadow over what should have been a peaceful day in nature—and now stand as a chilling reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike even in the most serene settings.
