Arkansas police have arrested a 28-year-old school teacher for the murders of a married couple hiking on a state park trail with their children.
James Andrew McGann had recently moved to Arkansas from Oklahoma and was a teacher candidate hired for the upcoming school year, Springdale Public Schools said in a statement to KHBS. The district said he had not come into contact with any students or their families.
McGann taught fifth grade in the 2023-2024 school year in Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma but left during the school year. The district said in a statement “he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired.”
He is charged with two counts of capital murder for the deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, on July 26, Arkansas State Patrol said. The Brinks were hiking at Devil’s Den State Park with their 7- and 9-year-old daughters when they were attacked and killed, as CrimeOnline reported. The children were not physically harmed and are safe with family members.
The Brinks had also recently moved to Arkansas, coming there from Montana. Although officials have not said how they died, KHBS said they were stabbed.
McGann was arrested at Lupita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop in Springdale, about 40 miles from the state park, as he was getting a haircut, the station said. He has been booked into the Washington County Dentention Center and is being held without bond.
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[Featured image: James Andrew McGann/Washington County Detention Center and the Brinks/Facebook]
