A horrifying scene unfolded at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas after a couple was found murdered while hiking with their two young daughters.
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, had taken their girls for what should’ve been a peaceful day out on the Devil’s Den Trail, only for it to end in a brutal double homicide that’s now triggered a statewide manhunt.
According to Arkansas State Police, the couple was discovered dead on a walking trail in the rugged terrain of the park, located in the Ozark Mountains. While police haven’t revealed exactly how they were killed, initial reports indicate one may have been stabbed. Police radio audio released by Broadcastify.com revealed that the park’s visitor center had called for help after two children arrived claiming their parents had been assaulted and were missing.
The girls, ages 7 and 9, were physically unharmed and are now staying with relatives. Authorities said the Brinks had recently moved to Prairie Grove, a small town near the Oklahoma border, after relocating from another state.
The incident occurred in a particularly isolated section of the park where cellphone service is nonexistent and the thick vegetation makes visibility and access extremely difficult. Devil’s Den Trail, a 1.5-mile route typically hiked in under three hours, has now been completely shut down. In fact, the entire park has closed its trails until further notice, according to a statement on the park’s official website.
Investigators are urgently seeking the suspect, described as a White male with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a dark ballcap, sunglasses, fingerless gloves, and a shirt with rolled-up long sleeves. He was reportedly carrying a black backpack and driving a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with license plates concealed by either electrical or duct tape.
The suspect was seen leaving the park and is believed to have traveled along State Highway 170 or State Highway 220. Arkansas State Police have called on anyone who visited the park on Saturday to check their phones, cameras, or dashcams for any images that could help identify him. Residents living near the park have also been asked to review security and game camera footage.
Officials strongly urged the public not to post any potential evidence on social media, warning that doing so could compromise the ongoing investigation. The area around the crime scene has now been sealed off as authorities continue to comb the region for clues.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement calling the murders “horrific” and assured the public that the state is working closely with law enforcement to capture the person responsible. Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, added that law enforcement presence will be increased at all state parks in the wake of the killings to reassure visitors and protect public safety.
As the investigation continues, what was once a peaceful family hiking trip has turned into a chilling tragedy. And now, a community, and the entire state, waits anxiously for answers and justice.
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