WEST FORK -- There was a heavy law enforcement presence Monday morning at Devil's Den State Park, but otherwise the park was mostly empty as authorities continued their investigation into a suspected double homicide that occurred at the park over the weekend.
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Law enforcement combs Devil’s Den for clues in suspected double homicide; family says couple ‘died heroes’
State, federal and local law enforcement authorities continued to search Monday for a man they say killed two hikers at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday.
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead Saturday afternoon at Devil’s Den State Park in Washington County in a suspected homicide, Arkansas State Police said.
Their daughters, who are 7 and 9 years old, were not hurt and are being cared for by family members.
Dispatch recordings indicate the couple’s two children came to the park’s visitor center and told staff their parents had been assaulted on a trail and that one of the parents may have been stabbed. State troopers later found two bodies on a trail, according to radio traffic.
Officials described the suspect as a white male wearing dark shorts, a dark ballcap, sunglasses and fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan with a license plate partly covered by tape.
The car, possibly a Mazda, may have been traveling on Arkansas 170 or Arkansas 220 near the park in a rural, wooded area with limited cellphone service, police said.
Shea Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said rangers had stepped up patrols at Devil’s Den.
The killings appeared to have turned the usually busy state park into a ghost town, save for the state troopers and park rangers investigating there.
When campers visit Devil’s Den in the summer, they have the option to dive in the pool or wade around in Lee Creek, a popular swimming area usually packed with people. As law enforcement officers combed the park’s many trails Monday, both swimming areas were completely empty with the pool officially closed Monday.
Investigators asked for potential witnesses to review their photos and videos from the park south of Fayetteville. There was no information about a possible motive.
“We’re just really hoping that anybody who captured any video or pictures or anything suspicious, just let us know,” State Police spokesperson Nick Genty said. “We’re investigating any and all tips that we get.”
“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 in the investigation to please contact the proper authorities immediately," the statement said, adding the Brinks died heroes protecting their girls.
"They will forever live on in all of our hearts,” the statement said.
