Clinton David Brink, 43 & Cristen Amanda Brink, 41 found on trail - Devil's Den State Park, AR- 26 July, 2025 #3 *Arrest*

[Inthedetails]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>

I also wonder whether "the covid interruption" to life when young people were in their final years of college and preparing to launch has imposed costs we are just beginning to see. Important factors in developing realistic expectations (tempering some of the unrealistic idealism that students may otherwise be graduating with) and the resilience to bounce back from disappointments or disillusionments were disturbed - peer-to-peer interaction and counseling, mentors, just being around others and picking up on cues, a social life that balances work life.

TBH, I don't think covid lockdown has anything to do with this perp's destruction. Just my opinion.

I do think there are some young adults who perhaps missed out on some socialization because of lockdown, but they have developed their own ways of socialization and are forging ahead. If anything, they seem self-aware.

The rage and destruction thing has been going on long before covid, imo.

jmo

 

[AngTxGal]

Or not.

I'm still considering his downward spiral and crash landing of committing a horrific crime could be slo-mo suicide with prison/death penalty as the ending. He killed two people, but also killed his own potential.

He floundered as an adult man so he gave up and arranged for the prison system take care of him. It may not have been a conscience decision, but that intense frustration and shame drove his actions.

Getting caught might not have been unwelcomed.

Just a theory, not vouching for the accuracy.

jmopinion

Agree, moving those distances that regularly would keep a person from developing roots in the community.
Where is his social network? Friends from school and work, girls friends, family, extended family? I don’t blame them for staying out of the media, so maybe they aren’t absent just quiet.

Is this someone who has been socially awkward for a long time, due to trauma or whatever developed social awkwardness, or isolation?
I can completely understand an ease in connecting to kids- they are not nearly as judgmental as some adults can be. Kids 8-10 yrs welcoming and forgiving, kinda like pets (Don’t come for me)
Adults have expectations from a relationship more than food, water, unconditional acceptance

Where are his marketable talents/ skills that secure him a future. All of his eggs were in a teaching basket, and that didn’t go well. He is 28, not 23.
In other posts a sibling has been mentioned- are they better suited for adult life? (Staying away from family here)

At 28 peers are settled or settling into a long term relationship, creating a family, growing roots.
I may be comparing to my generation and unaware of current 25-30 year olds?

It appears something held him back, a slow bloomer who didn’t bloom, or didn’t try to bloom?
What were his options? Where was his support system?

Did he give up? Maybe, but what a way to go out!
IMO

 

[bajaflash]

Agree, moving those distances that regularly would keep a person from developing roots in the community.
Where is his social network? Friends from school and work, girls friends, family, extended family? I don’t blame them for staying out of the media, so maybe they aren’t absent just quiet.

Is this someone who has been socially awkward for a long time, due to trauma or whatever developed social awkwardness, or isolation?
I can completely understand an ease in connecting to kids- they are not nearly as judgmental as some adults can be. Kids 8-10 yrs welcoming and forgiving, kinda like pets (Don’t come for me)
Adults have expectations from a relationship more than food, water, unconditional acceptance

Where are his marketable talents/ skills that secure him a future. All of his eggs were in a teaching basket, and that didn’t go well. He is 28, not 23.
In other posts a sibling has been mentioned- are they better suited for adult life? (Staying away from family here)

At 28 peers are settled or settling into a long term relationship, creating a family, growing roots.
I may be comparing to my generation and unaware of current 25-30 year olds?

It appears something held him back, a slow bloomer who didn’t bloom, or did try to bloom.
What were his options? Where was his support system?

Did he give up? Maybe, but what a way to go out!
IMO

In my generation, at least those I grew up with in a very well to do area, not having a long term partner and family on the horizon at 28 would be more the norm than the unusual. Ime.

 

[AngTxGal]

Interesting theory.

I also wonder whether "the covid interruption" to life when young people were in their final years of college and preparing to launch has imposed costs we are just beginning to see. Important factors in developing realistic expectations (tempering some of the unrealistic idealism that students may otherwise be graduating with) and the resilience to bounce back from disappointments or disillusionments were disturbed - peer-to-peer interaction and counseling, mentors, just being around others and picking up on cues, a social life that balances work life.

Sure covid impacted young people, my two were in high school and we were a house of rotating quarantines, off and on at work/ school and at home.
Online classes, online work for two teens and two adults- and our internet Ugh!
We had each other, made it work and became closer, connected to others.
Expectations for work and school were adjusted, challenging but manageable.
All families adjusted in different ways, some better than others.

TJM would have been 23-24 yrs old, he was still in college I think. Was he living at home?
His social skills would have been pretty solid by that age, not developing foundations.

Slow and then Failure to launch is kinda what I’m feeling. Enabling parents?
Mental illness? Substance issues? These may have been highlighted during covid!

IMO

 

[SMK777]

Did he give up? Maybe, but what a way to go out!

Snipped for focus
Right, not only did he commit a heinous crime against this couple and their children, but he completely destroyed any chance of fixing his life for a liveable future. As bad as it gets.

 

[Inthedetails]

In my generation, at least those I grew up with in a very well to do area, not having a long term partner and family on the horizon at 28 would be more the norm than the unusual. Ime.

Most people navigate the age and mature without destroying their lives. AM was not one of them.

jmopinion

 

[AngTxGal]

I think it's an age for guys in particular to realize they might not be living up to their expectations of being an adult. They might be afraid they don't have what it takes, and then lash out with crime, self-harm, destruction to life around them. I don't think they would be aware of their fear, but simply feel rage about it - so they destroy. imo

Armchair analysis, worth what you paid for it.

jmopinion

Maybe there is something to this age for both sexes- this may cross over with that 7 year itch that kicks in during early marriages.
Edit

Men have status and money pressures, I didn’t feel those.
I wonder if he lived at home too long, and they kicked him out?
And he floundered in adulting?

No long term relationship, no settled job, no mortgage.

IMO

 

[Sillybilly]

ADMIN NOTE:

The thread is dedicated specifically to discussing this case ... these victims, this perp, this crime. It is more about the crime than it is about you or the teaching profession. A rough guideline is that unless a post is at least 70% about the dedicated case, it's off topic.

When members or guests are reading some long personal anecdote about you or a long post about the teaching profession in general in some other state, they're left scratching their heads wondering what on earth that has to do with this crime in Arkansas.

Please stay on topic.

 

[RedHaus]

Welcome to Websleuths, @Sundance99!!

<modsnip>

 

[AngTxGal]

In my generation, at least those I grew up with in a very well to do area, not having a long term partner and family on the horizon at 28 would be more the norm than the unusual. Ime.

Noticing he wasn’t showing signs of settling down…

The age where people are expected to settle down and have a family, may have to do with education of parents too, and not generation or wealth.

Edit

IMO

 

[Cryptic]

There aren't stats on prevalence AFAIK but pedophiles can either be "exclusive" or "non-exclusive" according to the DSM, i.e. exclusively attracted to children, or not.

+ people get married without actually being attracted to their partners all the time. gay men will sometimes be married to women for decades because they're still in the closet, for example. sometimes marriages and relationships exist for social status reasons only.

Though I can only speak from my personal experience, a very significant majority of the sex offenders that I evaluated were "non exclusive" in regards to being attracted to children.

Though some may have been covering by deep feigning a co interest in adult women, I don't think this occurred to a significant degree with my group at all.

Within the "Non exclusive" category, a few had a preference for victimizing minors to the extent that even adult women they had relations with had well, "petite" body types. In contrast, a few others would only victimize a minor when adults were not readily available and the minor was an especially convenient target.

But.....

Most of "my" non exclusive guys constantly trawled both adult and minor females for sexual gratification. They would often pursue adults and minors at the same time. Sometimes making a concentrated effort to target minors, then switching back to adults if that road became promising. They then kept their hooks baited and attempted to victimize, or would victimize, a minor if one responded to an approach.

And....

Just like other criminals, most of "my guys" had preferred hunting environments where they felt comfortable. Some would be more risk taking than others, but most stayed with in one, sometimes two chosen environments and viewed other alternative environments as "too risky".

 

[RedHaus]

So what causes sexual offenders?

There is of course academic research based on epidemiologic methodology. You can find and slog thru those on line. But here is a U.S. DOJ program paper, Chapter 2: Etiology of Adult Sexual Offending, which is an easier, albeit disturbing, read.

• There is no simple answer to the question of why people engage in this behavior.
• The problem of sexual offending is too complex to attribute solely to a single theory (multifactor theories are stronger).
• What is known —
  • Sexual abuse is a learned behavior.
  • Negative or adverse conditions in early development — particularly poor relationships with caregivers — can contribute to the problem.
  • Sex offenders engage in cognitive distortions.
  • Repeated exposure to sexually violent [p o r n o g r a p h y] can contribute.
  • Problems with self-regulation and impulse control can contribute.
  • Short-term relationships and negative attitudes toward women can contribute."

Chapter 2: Etiology of Adult Sexual Offending

smart.ojp.gov

 

[stormymama]

I'd be interested in finding out if there were any flashing incidents or sexual assaults on the trails this dude frequented. I mean the clothing he wore in Devil's Den look less like running outfit and more like something a sex offender would do. Dark clothes to make stains less visible, long sleeves and trousers for protection against scratches and the face cover ready on his neck...

Richard Allen overdressed for the unseasonably warm winter day, and we know what he was up to.

 

[gremlin444]

I think I’m missing something here. Student teaching is not the same as substitute teaching. Student teaching is a normal part of obtaining an education degree where college students get time in the classroom under the supervision of the regular classroom teacher.

You are correct....I mistyped after having a few days of crappy sleep.

In his first job's intro, he said he had spent the spring 2022 semester doing his student teaching...AND he said that he had been doing substitute teaching over the last two years.

2nd entry:

UPDATE | State Park Murder Suspect Arrested - Jonesboro Right Now

Andrew McGann, 28, a teacher, charged with two counts capital murder

jonesbororightnow.com

Hello my name is Andrew McGann. I am very excited to join the Dolphin family as a 4th Grade Math and Writing Teacher. I graduated from Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!) in May with a B.S. in Elementary Education. I have been a substitute for the past two years in Tulsa County, Oklahoma and a student teacher for the Spring 2022 semester in Broken Arrow Public Schools in a 4th Grade Math and Science classroom.

 

[AngTxGal]

Though I can only speak from my personal experience, a very significant majority of the sex offenders that I evaluated were "non exclusive" in regards to being attracted to children.

Though some may have been covering by deep feigning a co interest in adult women, I don't think this occurred to a significant degree with my group at all.

Within the "Non exclusive" category, a few had a preference for victimizing minors to the extent that even adult women they had relations with had well, "petite" body types. In contrast, a few others would only victimize a minor when adults were not readily available and the minor was an especially convenient target.

But.....

Most of "my" non exclusive guys constantly trawled both adult and minor females for sexual gratification. They would often pursue adults and minors at the same time. Sometimes making a concentrated effort to target minors, then switching back to adults if that road became promising. They then kept their hooks baited and attempted to victimize, or would victimize, a minor if one responded to an approach.

And....

Just like other criminals, most of "my guys" had preferred hunting environments where they felt comfortable. Some would be more risk taking than others, but most stayed with in one, sometimes two chosen environments and viewed other alternative environments as "too risky".

Question for you- regarding pedos in general, as we have established that AJM, has had inappropriate behaviors with young girls…

Do pedos have an atypically higher libido?
Is it typical for pedos to be deficient in dopamin/ serotonin levels- and that leads to a higher libido- or drive to increase them via sexual outlet?
Are SSRIs used to treat pedos?

AJM seems to show a lack of impulse control, which can be a sign of ADHD.
Are ADHD meds compatible with SSRIs?

Anyone?
IMO

 

[Cryptic]

Question for you- regarding pedos in general, as we have established that AJM, has had inappropriate behaviors with young girls…

Do pedos have an atypically higher libido?
Is it typical for pedos to be deficient in dopamin/ serotonin levels- and that leads to a higher libido- or drive to increase them via sexual outlet?
Are SSRIs used to treat pedos?

AJM seems to show a lack of impulse control, which can be a sign of ADHD.
Are ADHD meds compatible with SSRIs?

Anyone?
IMO

My experience is limited to about 50 sex offenders directly and say, an additional 50 indirectly. So, it is not comprehensive.

As for high libidos..... I would say, "yes". I think a good majority of "my guys" had higher than average libidos based on my limited experience.

But.... having a high libido does not always mean "successful" as a certain number "my guys" were just plain creepy, had readily noticeable negative personality traits, were unemployable etc. that could greatly inhibit their "success" rate.

Others had positions (married clergy) that limited how often they could act on likely high libidos via seeking other partners.

Some of "my guys", however, had the jobs, looks and charisma to readily find adult dating partners, but would victimize minors on either impulse, or during an "in between relationships / minor is convenient" period.

As to what extent pedophilia can be controlled by drugs, my reviews were not centered on that possibility and I do not have any experience with it.

 

[AngTxGal]

So what causes sexual offenders?

There is of course academic research based on epidemiologic methodology. You can find and slog thru those on line. But here is a U.S. DOJ program paper, Chapter 2: Etiology of Adult Sexual Offending, which is an easier, albeit disturbing, read.

• There is no simple answer to the question of why people engage in this behavior.
• The problem of sexual offending is too complex to attribute solely to a single theory (multifactor theories are stronger).
• What is known —
  • Sexual abuse is a learned behavior.
  • Negative or adverse conditions in early development — particularly poor relationships with caregivers — can contribute to the problem.
  • Sex offenders engage in cognitive distortions.
  • Repeated exposure to sexually violent [p o r n o g r a p h y] can contribute.
  • Problems with self-regulation and impulse control can contribute.
  • Short-term relationships and negative attitudes toward women can contribute."

Chapter 2: Etiology of Adult Sexual Offending

smart.ojp.gov

Thank you for this,
Can someone explain what is meant by ‘cognitive distortions’
Is that a hallucination? Or is it delusions?

IMO

 

[SMK777]

Thank you for this,
Can someone explain what is meant by ‘cognitive distortions’
Is that a hallucination? Or is it delusions?

IMO

I was just researching and this is what I found:

Cognitive distortions are irrational or negative thought patterns that can cause people to perceive reality inaccurately. They are mental biases that can make people feel bad about themselves, increase anxiety, and contribute to unhappiness. These patterns can develop over time in response to adverse events, and can be influenced by a person's experiences in their family, school, and community.


A cognitive distortion is a thought that causes a person to perceive reality inaccurately due to being exaggerated or irrational. Cognitive distortions are involved in the onset or perpetuation of psychopathological states, such as depression and anxiety.[1]

According to Aaron Beck's cognitive model, a negative outlook on reality, sometimes called negative schemas (or schemata), is a factor in symptoms of emotional dysfunction and poorer subjective well-being. Specifically, negative thinking patterns reinforce negative emotions and thoughts.[2] During difficult circumstances, these distorted thoughts can contribute to an overall negative outlook on the world and a depressive or anxious mental state. According to hopelessness theory and Beck's theory, the meaning or interpretation that people give to their experience importantly influences whether they will become depressed and whether they will experience severe, repeated, or long-duration episodes of depression.[3]

Challenging and changing cognitive distortions is a key element of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive distortion - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[AngTxGal]

I was just researching and this is what I found:

Cognitive distortions are irrational or negative thought patterns that can cause people to perceive reality inaccurately. They are mental biases that can make people feel bad about themselves, increase anxiety, and contribute to unhappiness. These patterns can develop over time in response to adverse events, and can be influenced by a person's experiences in their family, school, and community.


A cognitive distortion is a thought that causes a person to perceive reality inaccurately due to being exaggerated or irrational. Cognitive distortions are involved in the onset or perpetuation of psychopathological states, such as depression and anxiety.[1]

According to Aaron Beck's cognitive model, a negative outlook on reality, sometimes called negative schemas (or schemata), is a factor in symptoms of emotional dysfunction and poorer subjective well-being. Specifically, negative thinking patterns reinforce negative emotions and thoughts.[2] During difficult circumstances, these distorted thoughts can contribute to an overall negative outlook on the world and a depressive or anxious mental state. According to hopelessness theory and Beck's theory, the meaning or interpretation that people give to their experience importantly influences whether they will become depressed and whether they will experience severe, repeated, or long-duration episodes of depression.[3]

Challenging and changing cognitive distortions is a key element of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive distortion - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Thank you
It looks like a cognitive distortions are a symptom of having, developing, or a condition or injury related to brain damage or mental illness?
I suppose that makes sense- healthy brain/ mind would not be cognitively distorted.

AJM’s comment that he would like to date or marry one of the little girls tells us something.
Some or all of these must be true.
1) He thinks relationships like dating/ marriage are a priority for 5th grade girls.
2) Dating/ marriage is a priority for him.
3) He referred to dating/ marriage when his thoughts were actually sexual.
4) He thinks telling a little girl that he would like to date/ marry her is a compliment to her.
5) His fantasy life includes a dating relationship with a 9-11 yr old female.
6) He doesn’t know that the reality of dating/ marriage is limited to a 5th grader.
Likely other assumptions/ screwed up ideas must be possible.

Are these not enormous sign of cognitive distortion? (Creepy thinking)

IMO

 

[SMK777]

Thank you
It looks like a cognitive distortions are a symptom of having, developing, or a condition or injury related to brain damage or mental illness?
I suppose that makes sense- healthy brain/ mind would not be cognitively distorted.

AJM’s comment that he would like to date or marry one of the little girls tells us something.
Some or all of these must be true.
1) He thinks relationships like dating/ marriage are a priority for 5th grade girls.
2) Dating/ marriage is a priority for him.
3) He referred to dating/ marriage when his thoughts were actually sexual.
4) He thinks telling a little girl that he would like to date/ marry her is a compliment to her.
5) His fantasy life includes a dating relationship with a 9-11 yr old female.
6) He doesn’t know that the reality of dating/ marriage is limited to a 5th grader.
Likely other assumptions/ screwed up ideas must be possible.

Are these not enormous sign of cognitive distortion? (Creepy thinking)

IMO

Excellent synopsis.