A manhunt is underway in Arkansas after a husband and wife were brutally murdered in front of their two young daughters while hiking through Devil's Den State Park.
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on July 21 after police responded to reports of screams and a possible assault inside the popular Ozark-area park, according to the New York Post. Their two daughters, ages 7 and 9, were discovered nearby, physically unharmed but witnesses to the killing. The family had been hiking through the remote park when the attack took place.
Emergency calls first came in around 2:30 p.m., but authorities did not issue a public alert about the killings until 8:40 p.m., sparking questions about the delay. Police said the terrain's thick vegetation, lack of cell service, and remote location slowed down their response. "It took time for our special agents to arrive on scene, locate witnesses, conduct interviews, and collaborate information so we released the appropriate information," an Arkansas State Police spokesperson said.
By Sunday, police had updated the suspect description and released new details. He is believed to be a man with a medium build, last seen wearing dark pants, a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a red baseball cap, sunglasses, and fingerless gloves. He was also carrying a backpack and was spotted arriving in the park in a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with its license plate taped over.
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism said it is increasing law enforcement presence across the state's 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," Secretary Shea Lewis said.
The search for the suspect continues as investigators gather witness statements and review any available surveillance footage or park entry data.
