SPRINGDALE, AR — James Andrew McGann, a 28-year-old former elementary school teacher, has been arrested and charged with two counts of Capital Murder in connection with the brutal slayings of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025. McGann, who was apprehended while getting a haircut at Lupita’s Body Salon in Springdale, Arkansas, was taken into custody without incident.
Details of the Murders
The tragic deaths of Clinton and Cristen Brink occurred while they were hiking with their two young daughters, ages 7 and 9, at Devil’s Den State Park. The couple was fatally stabbed during the hike, and although the children witnessed the attack, they were fortunately unharmed. After the incident, the girls were taken into the care of their relatives as authorities continued their investigation into the crime.
According to the Arkansas State Police, McGann was the primary suspect in the homicides, and his arrest was made on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at around 4:57 p.m. Authorities had been gathering evidence and following leads, ultimately leading to McGann’s location at the salon where he was arrested mid-haircut.
The Shocking Arrest
Adriana Ruiz Avalos, the stylist who was cutting McGann’s hair when law enforcement arrived, described the moment as shocking. She recounted how detectives entered the salon while she was in the middle of her work on McGann, and they quickly took him into custody.
“I was in the middle of cutting his hair when detectives came in and got him,” Avalos told Channel 2 NOW. “I was shaking. They told me not to sweep up the hair—they said they might need it as evidence. They also took the chair he was sitting in.”
The surprise nature of the arrest caught many by surprise, and the act of collecting the chair McGann had been sitting in further emphasizes the gravity of the situation, as law enforcement carefully gathered evidence to ensure they had a comprehensive case.
McGann’s Troubling Past
The arrest of James Andrew McGann has raised serious concerns regarding his background and whether adequate background checks were conducted before he was hired to teach at Bayyari Elementary School in Springdale, Arkansas. Before moving to Arkansas, McGann worked as a 4th-grade teacher at Donald Elementary in Lewisville, Texas, where he faced multiple complaints related to inappropriate behavior toward young female students. Despite these complaints, McGann resigned quietly without facing any formal disciplinary action, leading many to question how someone with such a history was able to find new employment in a different state.
After relocating to Arkansas, McGann began working at Bayyari Elementary School under the name “Drew McGann.” In June 2025, the school publicly welcomed him as a third-grade teacher for the upcoming school year. His social media posts showcased a seemingly positive persona, where he introduced himself as someone who enjoyed going to concerts, working out, and spending time outdoors. The fact that McGann used a different name and managed to avoid detection regarding his past misconduct has prompted further concern from parents and education officials alike.
Parents and local officials are now asking why McGann’s previous misconduct went unaddressed and why he was allowed to reenter a teaching environment where he had access to young children. The lack of accountability in McGann’s prior job history has fueled the conversation on the need for stricter teacher background checks and accountability measures for individuals crossing state lines.
Potential Motive for the Attack
Authorities have not yet provided a clear motive for the fatal stabbing of Clinton and Cristen Brink, though speculation has been rife. Investigators are considering the possibility that McGann may have targeted the children, and that the Brinks’ intervention in an attempt to protect them may have led to the fatal attack. At this time, no further details have been released about McGann’s relationship to the victims or why he would have been at the park with them.
The Brinks’ children, who witnessed the tragic events, are now in the care of their extended family. Their wellbeing is a priority as authorities continue to piece together what happened and why this family was targeted.
McGann’s Background and Career
James Andrew McGann, originally from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University. Prior to his arrest, McGann had spent time working as a substitute teacher and had completed student teaching at Broken Arrow Public Schools in 2022.
While McGann had previously worked in multiple school districts, his past conduct involving young female students had gone largely unnoticed until it was too late. The decision to allow McGann to quietly resign without facing disciplinary actions or formal investigations raised questions about the policies in place to prevent individuals with troubling histories from returning to work with children.
Court Proceedings and Investigation
Following his arrest, McGann was booked into the Washington County Jail and is being held without bond. He has been charged with **two counts of Capital Murder in the brutal killings of the Brinks.
Washington County Prosecutor Brandon Carter confirmed that McGann is scheduled for his first court appearance on August 1, where he will likely be informed of the charges against him and the upcoming steps in his legal proceedings.
The investigation into the murders is ongoing, with detectives from the Arkansas State Police and local authorities continuing to work on understanding McGann’s motives and whether he had any prior connections to the victims.
Community Reaction and Concerns
The arrest of James Andrew McGann has left the Springdale and West Fork communities in shock, as many struggle to understand the motivations behind such a brutal crime. Local residents are concerned about the background checks and security procedures in place for hiring educators and other professionals who work with children.
“We have to do better at protecting our kids,” said Sara Collins, a local parent and community member. “How did someone with his history end up in a classroom again? We need more safeguards in place to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Conclusion: Seeking Justice for the Brinks Family
The brutal killings of Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink have shocked the local community, and the investigation continues to unfold as authorities work to piece together the details of what happened. The Brink family is left in mourning, and the community is united in the hope that justice will be served for the victims.
As James Andrew McGann faces charges of Capital Murder, the community remains focused on ensuring that this tragedy leads to changes in how educators are vetted and held accountable. The Brink children and their family will continue to need the support of their community as they work through the emotional toll of the incident.
Authorities encourage anyone with information related to the case to contact the Springdale Police Department or Crime Stoppers.