State Police arrested 28-year-old Andrew James McGann on Wednesday at a barbershop in Springdale, approximately 30 miles north of Devil’s Den State Park, said Maj. Stacie Rhoads, commander of the department’s criminal investigation division.
McGann is charged with two counts of capital murder in the killing Saturday of Clinton David Brink, 43, and his 41-year-old wife Cristen Amanda Brink. McGann is being held without bond.
“He did indicate that he committed the murders,” Rhoads said during a news conference Thursday. When asked to elaborate, she said: “I would call it an admission.”
Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said authorities are trying to determine a motive for the attack and have no reason to believe McGann knew the couple or their children.
Officials said the husband was stabbed first, approximately half a mile (0.8 kilometers) into the park, then the mother ushered her children to safety before returning to help her husband. She was also stabbed to death.
Authorities have not said if the girls witnessed both their parents being killed.
McGann was cooperative during the arrest and admitted to killing the couple soon after, Rhoads said. Police also matched his DNA to blood found at the crime scene. The case is distressing even to the police.
“In my 27 years that I’ve been with the State Police, this is probably one of the most heinous that we’ve had, especially the aspect of just how random it was,” Rhoads said.
But officials emphasized at the news conference that McGann, who has no criminal record, is innocent until proven guilty.
