Law enforcement officials are currently conducting a manhunt for an unidentified suspect who murdered a married couple in front of their young children at Devil’s Den State Park, which is located in Arkansas.
In a Monday press release, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety confirmed that the Arkansas State Police was informed of a double homicide at Devil’s Den State Park at roughly 2:40 p.m. on Saturday.
“The victims have been identified as Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who recently moved to Prairie Grove from another state,” the press release stated. “The couple was hiking with their two daughters when they were attacked. The girls, who are 7 and 9, were not injured and are safe with family members.”
In Monday’s press release, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety said the suspect is believed to have been an unidentified white male who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, fingerless gloves, sunglasses, and a dark hat.
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Officials also noted that the suspect was seen with a black backpack and was driving toward the exit of Devil’s Den State Park in a black, four-door sedan. According to the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, the suspect’s vehicle could have been a Mazda with a tape-covered license plate.
Law enforcement officials explained that the unidentified suspect likely suffered an injury while attacking and killing the married couple at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday.
A sketch of the suspect was also released by the Arkansas State Police.
As part of Monday’s press release, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety included a statement from the deceased couple’s family, which read, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult time as they grieve and learn how to navigate this new reality. They ask that if anyone has any information at all that will help the investigation, to please contact the proper authorities immediately. Clinton and Cristen died heroes, protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live on in all of our hearts.”
5 News reported that while law enforcement officials launched a manhunt for the unidentified suspect following Saturday’s incident, it took approximately six hours for police officials to inform the public that the murder suspect remained at large.
An Arkansas State Police spokesperson told 5 News, “The location is in remote, rural Arkansas. It took time for our special agents to arrive on scene, locate witnesses, conduct interviews, and collaborate information so we released the appropriate information.”
