A suspect arrested in the murder of an Arkansas couple at Devil’s Den State Park over the weekend had been hired to teach at an Arkansas school district, school officials said.
Andrew James McGann, 28, was arrested on July 30 in the murders of Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, at Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork, Arkansas, on July 27, according to Arkansas State Police. He was charged with two counts of capital murder.
McGann had been hired as a teacher to begin employment with Springdale Public Schools during the 2025-2026 school year, Superintendent Jared Cleveland said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.
Devil’s Den murder: Suspect arrested in killing of couple hiking at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas
“This individual has not begun employment with the district nor has he at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve,” Cleveland said. The school district did not provide additional information about McGann’s employment, citing ongoing investigation.
“Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers.”
According to Arkansas Department of Education records, McGann was licensed as an early childhood, elementary and middle school educator in Arkansas, starting in October 2024. His license expires in December 2028.
Prior to his hiring by Springdale Public Schools, McGann was employed by Broken Arrow Public Schools in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Broken Arrow Public Schools Chief Communications Officer Tara Thompson told USA TODAY that McGann was a fifth grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year and left on his own accord to work in a different state.
“As with all employees hired by the district, he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired,” Thompson said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family affected by this unimaginable act of violence.”
Per Oklahoma Department of Education records, McGann was a licensed early elementary educator, effective May 2022 through June 2027. He was also a licensed elementary and middle school educator in Texas, effective July 2023 through August 2028, according to the Texas Department of Education.
What happened in the killings?
The Brinks were fatally attacked while hiking at Devil’s Den State Park with their two daughters, who are 7 and 9 years old, Arkansas State Police said. The daughters were not injured and are safe with family members.
The Brinks had recently moved to Arkansas from another state.
McGann’s first court apperance is on Friday, Aug. 1, the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told USA TODAY.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
