Additional Coverage:
- Couple killed at Arkansas’ Devil’s Den State Park ‘died heroes protecting their little girls,’ family says (foxnews.com)
Tragedy struck Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas this weekend, claiming the lives of two parents while they were hiking with their young daughters. Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41, were found deceased on a walking trail Saturday afternoon. Their daughters, ages 7 and 9, were unharmed and are now safe with family.
In a statement, the grieving family described the couple as heroes who died protecting their children. They urged anyone with information regarding the incident to contact authorities immediately.
The Brinks were recent additions to the Prairie Grove community, having moved from out of state. The cause of death remains undisclosed at this time.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for a suspect described as a White male of medium build. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt with rolled-up sleeves, dark pants, a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, and fingerless gloves.
He was also carrying a black backpack. The suspect may have been driving a black, four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with tape obscuring the license plate.
The vehicle may have been seen on State Route 170 or 220.
Arkansas State Police are asking anyone who visited the park on Saturday to review any photos, videos, or GoPro footage they may have taken for images of the suspect. Residents near the park are also asked to share any relevant security or game camera footage with authorities.
Investigators are urging anyone with any suspicious information to come forward. Initial 911 calls indicate that park personnel were alerted to the situation by the Brinks’ children, who arrived at the visitor center reporting their parents had been assaulted.
Responding officers subsequently located the deceased couple on the lower Devil’s Den Trail.