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

[Arkay]

<modsnip: Referenced post was modsnipped>

At this point we only know that AM has confessed to the double murder of these poor parents.

I don’t think we have heard about any charges related to being a pedophile, so anything we say about that aspect is merely our opinion as of now.

That said, IMO with what we know at this time, he appears to have the hallmarks of someone who is very inappropriate with young girls.

We’ve heard this from students and some of their parents. People who have been in his orbit, unlike we who have not.

I’m unaware, as we all are at this juncture, whether or not he ever actually crossed the line. But putting or encouraging 10 year old girls on your lap, when you are in your late 20s, an unrelated male and in a position of power over these girls, is wrong wrong wrong in every way.

It smacks of coercion and abuse.

AM being forced out of a school due to “improper judgment” can mean anything. None of it good, however. Only something lamentable or in fact awful and sordid.

And it appears he has been a serial jumper from one school or state to another.

Jumped, or was pushed?

I think time will tell.

JMO

 

[Dreamcherry]

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

ADHD meds are compatible with SSRIs. The majority of my clients with ADHD have been prescribed both (to treat co-morbid diagnoses.) My husband has also taken both!

It's worth noting (to me anyway) that lack of impulse control is also a symptom of TBIs. The most extreme case of lack of impulse control I've ever seen was in a client who suffered a severe TBI after a car accident. He was diagnosed with NPD caused by TBI, and he was the most terrifying human being I've ever encountered in my life. Everything I hear about McGann reminds me of this client, so when I saw he played rugby and football my mind went straight to brain injury. Agression, hostility, changes in personality, mood swings, lack of impulse control, it all fits for me. That client threatened me a few times, and the look he would get when he went in a rage was that same look you see in those mug shots. Just pure hate and rage. I'll never forget that look, and those cold eyes.

 

[Dreamcherry]

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

You're right on the money, imo. Definite cognitive distortion going on there.

 

[mlhenn]

Awhile ago posters mentioned that AM was renting a 3-bedroom home for $1700+ a month and wondering how he could afford that on a teacher’s salary.

The LEARNS Act increased Arkansas’ minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000 (this was a couple yrs ago)

 

[jillolantern]

I’m shocked by how many people in these forums are still question if this guy was a creep or not.

I guess that is me.

I think its easy for us to look back knowing what he's accused of now and see everything as a warning sign.

I think its easy for people who knew him in the past to do the same, or to skew a memory so they can have a good story to tell on Nancy Grace, or to make themselves look good as the vigilant parent/coworker/administrator who stood up to this bad guy giving kids candy.

I think most teachers have favorite students and have students they consider to be troublemakers or general pains in the and they do not all get the same treatment.

I think that we have rules for a reason. Those rules are drawn lines. Its not fair or right to take action against a person who toes up to the line but doesn't cross it. A rule was made, a line was drawn. If you want to change the rule then change the rule and then enforce it.

I do not think that in the moment things are always as clear as they seem to be in hindsight. I do not think that everything that MIGHT be a sign of [choose your evil] is really a sign. I do not think its reasonable to just decide that things MIGHT be troublesome so adverse action should be taken immediately.

So I guess the TLDR is that for me I'm just skeptical all around about the clarity of the various past situations and about the honesty of the people speaking about them now and about the righteousness and value of all the hindsight judgement.

IMO

 

[Arkay]

I do not think that in the moment things are always as clear as they seem to be in hindsight. I do not think that everything that MIGHT be a sign of [choose your evil] is really a sign. I do not think its reasonable to just decide that things MIGHT be troublesome so adverse action should be taken immediately.

We are each entitled to our opinions, but I must say I disagree.

If I walked into a classroom and a prepubescent girl was sitting on the lap of a young male teacher, I would end that right there.

I’d have that child back at her desk, and I would inform the principal and guidance counselor through the classroom phone. I would not leave that room until my superiors came. They would remove the teacher and question the child in private, or more likely wait for the child’s parent or guardian to meet them at school so the child would not be overwhelmed. They would question the teacher involved.

I would write up what I witnessed and it would be forwarded by the admin and guidance counselor to the proper channels.

As a mandated reporter, I would have to do this, and as a teacher and parent I could not imagine waiting around to see if anything worse would occur.

FULL STOP.

IMO this would already be an EMERGENCY situation.

Little girl, male teacher’s lap——NO.

If it were just some rumor, I don’t know, but if I actually witnessed this, all bets are off.

 

[Slythefly]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>.... any child sitting on any adults lap should be reported at a school. Regardless of gender or age. Or relation. People start skirting the rules, you start getting into gray areas. Gray areas allow for shady stuff to go on.

Unfortunately the hypothetical situation is typically not that simple. Case in point with AJM, the report is coming from a parent, via word of mouth from student. A mandated reporter did not witness this (from what I've read) so I can absolutely see why there was no resolution other than to not renew a contract.

Our police departments have enough trouble with full scale investigations, let alone a school system...

 

[Dreamcherry]

I'm not a teacher, but like, how is a child sitting in a teacher's lap ever an innocent situation? That's never ever ever appropriate ever, period. That's yikes on bikes.

 

[Chimera]

Am trying to catch up but do we have an official list of charges ?

So, 2 counts of :

• Capital murder

OR:
2 counts of :

• First degree murder

Would add : Esp. heinous & cruel charges if they can, seems applicable.

Question : If he dragged them off the trail while killing them, can 'kidnapping' charges be added ?
I.e., 'kidnapping' as being forced to go where you don't want to be ?

I do want to see the book thrown at AJM.
The damage done to those kids is incomprehensible.
The horror of that day for the daughters, is unimaginable.
What a hero for Christine to go back knowing full well her husband was in extreme danger.

What red flags could emerge from the perp's past ?
Someone had posted his charges already, iirc, sorry but I can't seem to find that post.
Imo.

Eta : Answering my own question :

Devil's Den suspect to be held without bond on capital murder charges

The man arrested and is accused of killing Clinton and Cristen Brink while they were hiking at Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas will be held without bond.

www.4029tv.com

Andrew James McGann, 28, of Springdale, was formally charged with two counts of capital murder later that day.
McGann's next court date was scheduled for August 25, but prosecutor Brandon Carter said he expects that to happen sooner.
McGann is facing two capital murder charges in connection with Clinton and Cristen Brink's deaths. Conviction on either charge could put him on death row.

The Washington County prosecutor told 40/29 News that decisions regarding McGann's potential sentence will be made later on as the case progresses through the judicial system.

Arkansas currently has 23 people on death row.

 

[RedHaus]

looks like a cognitive distortions are a symptom of having, developing, or a condition or injury related to brain damage or mental illness?

RSBM

Going back to @SMK777 's research re: Cognitive Distortions, perceiving reality inaccurately:

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.

RSBM

Not sure you are saying the same thing, IMO.

 

[Lilibet]

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)

These are definitely examples of “creepy thinking,” but not necessarily unrealistic. My husband taught fifth grade for almost fifteen years. Girls this age were starting to notice boys and every spring they would “assign” boys in the class as their boyfriends, unbeknownst to the boys. Then there would be disputes among the girls about the boys, which he would have to deal with in order to keep order. This happened every year to the point that I would ask him if it had started yet! This was over 40 years ago, so I would imagine girls could be even more “boy conscious” now.

My husband was (still is) a good-looking guy. It wasn’t unusual for girls in his classes to have crushes on him in his twenties and thirties. It was very obvious to him even though he wasn’t looking for it. He remembers one girl in particular sitting at her desk gazing at him dreamily. I just asked him about it in reference to your list. He said he could easily have taken advantage of these girls, sitting them on his lap, talking about dating, etc. I’ve mentioned earlier the effort he went to not to even touch the girls, because he’s a decent person and wanted to keep his job. But someone like AJM could definitely take advantage of a girl who was crushing on him.

This information is by no means meant to “blame” the girls, but just to show that AJM’s attitude and actions weren’t necessarily unrealistic toward some girls of that age.

JMO

 

[Chimera]

Curious about how messed up this perp may have been prior to the murders ?
It's been fairly silent from possible acquaintances/friends.... assuming he had those.
Anyone getting a B. Kohberger vibe from AJM ?
Loner socially, that people avoided after a few first encounters ?
Imo.

 

[Arkay]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>

Just the birds and the bees. Reality.

If a young man has to be told explicitly not to put a 5th grade girl on his lap, he should not be around kids at all.

When I was a young teacher I had my share of 8th grade boys who wrote me mash notes and wanted to hang around with me. Like @Lilibet said about her husband, it is up to the adult to discourage this behavior when a young person becomes enthralled with the teacher.

AM apparently allowed it and maybe encouraged it.

We will agree to disagree.


My opinion.

 

[PunishThenForgive]

Can someone explain what is meant by ‘cognitive distortions’
Is that a hallucination? Or is it delusions?

IMO

Here is a list of 15 cognitive distortions, with examples, provide by the University of Texas - Houston Medical School (McGovern):

Source

According to Chapter 2: Etiology of Adult Sexual Offending of the Sex Offender Management Assessment and Planning Initiative published by the U.S. Department of a Justice, various types of theories exist that try to explain why adult sexual offending occurs. Here is one type:

Cognitive Theories​

Cognitive theories address the way in which offenders' thoughts affect their behavior.

It is well documented that when individuals commit deviant sexual acts, they often try to diminish their feelings of guilt and shame by making excuses or justifications for their behavior and rationalizing their actions.

These excuses, justifications and rationalizations are commonly referred to as "cognitive distortions" or "thinking errors." They allow offenders to absolve themselves of responsibility, shame or guilt for their actions.

Thinking errors on the part of sex offenders have been identified and supported frequently in research. These errors include denial, minimization of harm done, claiming the right or entitlement to the behavior and blaming the victim.

The literature also suggests that many sex offenders hold feelings of resentment and use these feelings as justification for their behaviors. [Theorists claim that] sex offenders are more likely to be self-protective and self-serving due to low self-esteem, poor relationships with others and emotional discomfort or anxiety. When challenged about their behavior, sex offenders reframe the situation to maintain feelings of self-worth.

Another type of cognitive distortion common among sexual offenders is a sense of entitlement, which involves the belief that the need to offend is more important than the negative consequences experienced by the victim.

[Theorists] found that thinking errors lead sex offenders to pay attention to information consistent with their distorted beliefs and to reject information that is inconsistent with their beliefs. For example, a child molester may interpret a child's hug as sexual interest because that interpretation conforms to his or her distorted beliefs, or a child molester may ignore a child's crying because it conflicts with his or her beliefs.

Further, egocentricity or self-interest allows the sex offender to justify deviant sexual behavior on the basis that it satisfies his or her needs. The offender will see victims as deserving of victimization or may have distorted views of what the victim wants from the offender. He or she may display a consistent tendency to blame others or negate personal responsibility through such statements as "I just couldn't help myself."

Finally, the way sex offenders process both internal and external cues may explain how and why they manipulate information. Research suggests that sex offenders misinterpret social cues and have difficulty recognizing and interpreting the emotional state of others. Further, they do not make good choices based on the information they perceive and do not consider the perceptions of others in making decisions about their own behavior.

 

[AngTxGal]

The LEARNS Act increased Arkansas’ minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000 (this was a couple yrs ago)

Boosting minimum teacher pay is a wonderful way to attract new talent into teaching.
So the hopping from state to state or district to district by AJM could be strategic- seeking higher pay, in addition to avoiding detection.
If you don’t have an sig other or aging parents to consider, and don’t have strong roots where you are? Why not?
Some districts also give a signing bonus to teachers with a few years of experience.

IMO

 

[AngTxGal]

I guess that is me.

I think its easy for us to look back knowing what he's accused of now and see everything as a warning sign.

I think its easy for people who knew him in the past to do the same, or to skew a memory so they can have a good story to tell on Nancy Grace, or to make themselves look good as the vigilant parent/coworker/administrator who stood up to this bad guy giving kids candy.

I think most teachers have favorite students and have students they consider to be troublemakers or general pains in the and they do not all get the same treatment.

I think that we have rules for a reason. Those rules are drawn lines. Its not fair or right to take action against a person who toes up to the line but doesn't cross it. A rule was made, a line was drawn. If you want to change the rule then change the rule and then enforce it.

I do not think that in the moment things are always as clear as they seem to be in hindsight. I do not think that everything that MIGHT be a sign of [choose your evil] is really a sign. I do not think its reasonable to just decide that things MIGHT be troublesome so adverse action should be taken immediately.

So I guess the TLDR is that for me I'm just skeptical all around about the clarity of the various past situations and about the honesty of the people speaking about them now and about the righteousness and value of all the hindsight judgement.

IMO

Absolutely agree, to a point.
A certified teacher- he has received appropriate conduct with a child training many many times.
There is zero chance he is unaware of the boundaries expected by a teacher with children.

Professionals are held to a higher standard of conduct- they are abundantly aware.
Groomers who have years of experience are masters at preventing notice.
And when noticed- he resigned.

So let’s consider only the events that have been relayed to the media, but all together. Let’s consider them as a scenario that all to often is exactly what happens with pedos.
- parents of girls went to the admin saying they think their daughters were being groomed
- teacher has invited a little girl to stay in with him during recess alone
- teacher tells girls-if you were older I would like to date/ marry you
- teacher has invited special groups of girls to eat lunch with him in his classroom
- little girl sits on teacher’s lap
- teacher tickles little girls
- teacher gives ‘special’ girls candy or Sonic drinks

<mod snipped - off topic>

IMO

 

[Breezyflavor]

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[AngTxGal]

Absolutely agree, to a point.
A certified teacher- he has received appropriate conduct with a child training many many times.
There is zero chance he is unaware of the boundaries expected by a teacher with children.

Professionals are held to a higher standard of conduct- they are abundantly aware.
Groomers who have years of experience are masters at preventing notice.
And when noticed- he resigned.

So let’s consider only the events that have been relayed to the media, but all together. Let’s consider them as a scenario that all to often is exactly what happens with pedos.
- parents of girls went to the admin saying they think their daughters were being groomed
- teacher has invited a little girl to stay in with him during recess alone
- teacher tells girls-if you were older I would like to date/ marry you
- teacher has invited special groups of girls to eat lunch with him in his classroom
- little girl sits on teacher’s lap
- teacher tickles little girls
- teacher gives ‘special’ girls candy or Sonic drinks

<mod snipped - off topic>

IMO

Brian Entin Investigates Report Passing the trash- Arkansas killer exposes disturbing loophole after Devil’s Den hiker attacked- Andrew McGann
It’s a problem nationwide, and the disturbing double murder in Arkansas is the latest example of a troubled teacher allowed to hop from state to state without disciplinary records following along. Andrew McGann is accused of killing two parents in front of their daughters in Devil’s Den Park in Arkansas. McGann was hired as a teacher in Arkansas after working in Oklahoma and Texas. Parents at the school where he worked in Texas say they tried to sound the alarm about odd behavior, and McGann resigned. The complaints inside his records were not forwarded to the states where he got teaching jobs. Former FBI and CIA Agent Tracy Walder discusses how this “passing the trash” of teachers is a nationwide epidemic and she explains the desperate need for laws to stop troubled teachers from simply getting jobs in different states.

AJM was employed at Donald Elementary, Flower Mound ISD, Lewisville, Texas
2022-2023 4th Grade
He was investigated by school admin and placed on admin leave when parents complained. He resigned. Parents complained to the district that they believed their daughter was being groomed.

As per Former FBI Agent/ CIA Officer Tracy Walder, believes AJM was hanging out on the Devil’s Den Trail in order to prey on child victims. She believe the knife was intended to be used to threaten, and that the parents were protecting their little girls from him.
Walder’s daughter was involved in a situation with a teacher, who is now in prison for child CORN. She was working in the school district where he was employed.
Schools are investigating internally rather than contacting authorities, and teachers employed by the district were told not to talk about it.
Walder is pushing for federal legislation to prevent Passing The Trash.

News Nation- Cuomo- Tracy Walder interview regarding Pass The Trash

IMO
I’ve also heard this practice being called Kick the Creep, which implies it is believed the teacher is a child predator.
There are parents out there who may be wondering if their child was in the classroom with inappropriate behavior taking place, with them personally or around them.
I hope they contact professionals to support their child in working through what they may have witnessed. In this way value is given to the children’s voices, for their own understanding of why the teacher they loved, became a murderer.
School is about to start- children are about to go to classrooms. I hope admin, parents, teachers, will keep their eyes wide open, and listen to the children in their care.
And if the suspect- they look up the Mandatory Reporter Hotline for their state and call.

My apologies if this issue of Pass the Trash has been perceived as off topic.
As the employment history of AJM comes out in the news media, districts where he was hired are reacting, as are parents of children he has taught.
His employment history may lead insight into his motives for murder. A former FBI Agent/ CIA Officer has clearly stated to the national media that she believes the two are related.

News KXAN Passing the Trash In Depth- Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock ISDs
Personnel files containing letters of concern for teachers not used for screening employees

Ohio News 12 Report Passing The Trash- Accused teachers allowed to move districts

New Mexico Young woman speaks about her experience of abuse by 4th grade teacher

IMO

 

[SMK777]

Curious about how messed up this perp may have been prior to the murders ?
It's been fairly silent from possible acquaintances/friends.... assuming he had those.
Anyone getting a B. Kohberger vibe from AJM ?
Loner socially, that people avoided after a few first encounters ?
Imo.

Yes, I definitely think there was a Bryan Kohberger thing going on: seen as weird; isolated; with people basically avoiding him.