A married couple from Prairie Grove, Arkansas, was killed Saturday, July 26, 2025, while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park in Washington County. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) identified the victims as Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41. Their bodies were discovered along a remote hiking trail after a suspected attack. Their daughters, ages 7 and 9, were unharmed and are now in the care of family members.
Authorities say the family was hiking in the park when the couple was killed in what is being investigated as a double homicide. The ASP responded to a call from park officials around 2:40 p.m. that day. The cause of death has not been publicly released, and autopsies are being conducted at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory.
The trail where the bodies were found is in a heavily wooded, rugged part of the park with no cell phone service. Officials say that these conditions may have delayed emergency response efforts. While the specific trail has been closed to the public during the investigation, the rest of the park, including campgrounds and facilities, remains open under heightened security and law enforcement presence.
The Brinks were recent transplants to Prairie Grove, having moved to northwest Arkansas earlier this year. Few additional details have been released about their background. Their sudden deaths are being treated as an isolated incident, with no current indication of a broader threat to park visitors or nearby residents.
Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement agencies, including the Arkansas State Police and local officials, are actively searching for a suspect who remains at large. Authorities have released a detailed description based on witness accounts. The suspect is described as a white male of medium build wearing a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark ballcap, sunglasses, and fingerless gloves. He was seen carrying a black backpack and reportedly fled in a black four-door sedan—possibly a Mazda—with its license plate covered in duct or electrical tape.
The suspect’s vehicle was last seen leaving the park via Arkansas State Highway 170 or 220. State police are urging anyone who visited Devil’s Den State Park on July 26 to review photos or videos they may have taken, particularly for images that may include the suspect or vehicle in the background. Residents in nearby areas are also encouraged to check home security or wildlife cameras for possible sightings.
Officials are requesting that any potentially helpful media not be posted publicly on social media, but instead submitted directly to investigators. The ASP is accepting tips through Troop L and has said that all submissions will be thoroughly investigated.
Official Statement from the Governor’s Office
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement on Saturday, expressing condolences and offering support to the victims’ family. “We are heartbroken by today’s horrific news from Devil’s Den State Park and are in close contact with State Police and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism as they work to apprehend the suspect,” the Governor said. “We are praying for the family and friends of the victims and know that law enforcement will not rest until the perpetrator is brought to justice.”
No arrests have been made as of the latest updates. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.
Lead photo courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
