Update: DNA matches Devil's Den stabbing suspect, police say
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The DNA of the man charged in the killings of two people at Devil's Den State Park matches "the DNA that we suspected to belong to our suspect at the scene," Arkansas public safety secretary Mike Hagar said Thursday afternoon during a press conference.
Catch up quick: Arkansas State Police announced Wednesday night that they had arrested Andrew James McGann, 28, of Springdale. He was charged with two counts of capital murder in the killings of Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink.
The latest: "During an interview with investigators, the suspect indicated that he did commit these murders," Hagar said. "We executed a search warrant at his residence. There were articles found there that are consistent with being involved in this particular crime."
- Hagar confirmed the cause of death was stabbing via knife. Police believe McGann acted alone and do not anticipate any further arrests, he said.
- Officials have no indication that McGann knew the victims and are continuing to investigate possible motives.
- McGann was taken into custody Wednesday while at a barbershop in Springdale, Stacie Rhodes, criminal investigation division commander, said during the press conference.
What they're saying: The couple were hiking with their 7- and 9-year-old daughters before they were attacked Saturday. Police said Thursday they had a third daughter who was not on the trail on the day of the murders and did not disclose her age.
- The children were not injured, police said.
- "They absolutely protected those girls to their fullest extent to the point that it cost them their lives," Hagar said.
McGann had been hired to teach at Springdale Public Schools, the district confirmed.
What they're saying: "Springdale Public Schools can confirm that Andrew McGann was a teacher candidate hired for the upcoming school year, who has not yet begun employment with the district," superintendent Jared Cleveland said in an emailed statement through spokesperson Trent Jones. "This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve."
- "At the appropriate time, additional information will be forthcoming. Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers."
Zoom in: McGann worked at Sand Springs Public Schools in Oklahoma from the summer of 2024 to May 2025, school district spokesperson Lissa Chidester told Axios.
- He was listed as a fifth-grade teacher in an online roster Wednesday night, but his photo and name have since been removed.
- McGann passed all mandatory district and state background checks before being hired, Chidester said in an email.
- He resigned to move out of state at the end of the 2025 school year, she said.
McGann was employed at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound, Texas, during the 2022-2023 school year, spokesperson Samantha Fitzpatrick told Axios via email.
- "The individual was placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023 following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment and student favoritism," she said.
- "An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. The teacher resigned from the district in May 2023."
What's next: McGann is being held at the Washington County Detention Center on no bond, according to the jail's website. He has a hearing set for Friday.
- All trails at Devil's Den remain closed, according to the park's website.
Flashback: Police began searching for the suspect after the couple, who recently moved to Prairie Grove, were found dead Saturday afternoon on a trail at the state park.
- Investigators asked the public to help in the search and released a sketch of the suspect and a photo of him from behind.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.