LOWELL, Ark. — Arkansas State Police have arrested 28-year-old James Andrew McGann in connection with the brutal double homicide of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were attacked while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park on July 26, 2025.

McGann, a former elementary school teacher, was taken into custody at 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, while receiving a haircut at Lupita’s Body Salon in Springdale.

Surveillance footage captured the moment officers entered the salon and arrested him. According to police, McGann confessed to the killings following his arrest.

He is now charged with two counts of Capital Murder and is being held at the Washington County Detention Center.

His first court appearance is scheduled for August 1.

Authorities say the attack began when Clinton Brink was assaulted on the trail. Cristen Brink reportedly rushed their two daughters, ages 7 and 9, to the family’s car for safety before returning to assist her husband.

She was then fatally stabbed.

The children were unharmed and are now in the care of relatives.

During a press briefing, Arkansas State Police confirmed McGann’s DNA matched evidence collected at the scene.

Investigators said witness descriptions—particularly from the Brink daughters—as well as tips from the public, including reports regarding McGann’s vehicle, played a significant role in identifying the suspect.

The woman cutting McGann’s hair at the time of the arrest, Adriana Ruiz Avalos, later posted her account on social media, stating:

“I was in the middle of cutting his hair when detectives came in. I was shaking… I asked if this was about the Devil’s Den incident, and it looks like it was. They even collected the chair he was sitting on.”

McGann, originally from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, had recently moved to Arkansas.

He previously taught 4th grade at Donald Elementary in Lewisville, Texas, where multiple complaints were reportedly made about inappropriate behavior toward young female students.

According to social media reports, McGann was allowed to quietly resign from the Texas school district without disciplinary action and soon after secured a new teaching job at Bayyari Elementary School in Springdale under the name “Drew McGann.”

Just weeks before the murders, Bayyari Elementary introduced McGann on its social media page:

“Hello! My name is Drew McGann. I am thrilled to be part of the Bayyari team this year as a 3rd grade teacher!”

That post has since drawn scrutiny as details emerge about his previous employment history and the absence of formal disciplinary records that may have prevented background red flags from surfacing.

McGann’s prior employment also included substitute teaching roles in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, and student teaching in Broken Arrow Public Schools.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University.

The investigation into the motivations and circumstances surrounding the murders is ongoing.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the parents may have been killed while trying to protect their daughters from a targeted threat.

The Brinks are survived by their three daughters.

The community continues to mourn their loss, while calls grow louder for greater accountability in vetting educators across state lines.