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

[LibraStarr]

It’s understandable that people would want to be notified earlier, but I think the delay may have been calculated.

One theory I’ve been thinking about: what if investigators already had a strong lead early on and didn’t want to spook him while they were closing in.

It’s even possible they had eyes on him pretty quickly and, as long as he wasn’t actively going into public spaces, they just watched and waited until they had solid probable cause (like DNA or autopsy results) before making a move.

Not saying that’s the reason, just something that could explain the delay.

All IMO.

 

[Hexe]

Perhaps he has unraveled (unmedicated?) over 4-5 years to the point where in 2025 he was unable to think coherently enough to plan effectively and evade capture any longer.

Or he is one of these dudes that come apart at the seams whenever something does not go the way they wanted.

I don't know how the trail at this spot looks like, but if Mr Brink was walking first AM might think he was alone, only to find out he has to deal with Mrs Brink too and there are two kids that saw him in the act. So he panicked, losing his head completely.

 

[SMK777]

I'm glad this dangerous man is caught. LE can also do better and there's no shame in demanding improvement.

Snipped for emphasis

Agreed. LE themselves admitted that the 6 hour wait -- although they said it was due to terrain and no cell service-- was a definite negative, and that issues which brought the tip line down created a bad situation.

Thank God this suspect was slow on the uptake, not cleaning or hiding his vehicle or fleeing the state. I'm glad they caught him after 4 days rather than weeks or months.
"All's well that ends well."

 

[AngTxGal]

Or he is one of these dudes that come apart at the seams whenever something does not go the way they wanted.

I don't know how the trail at this spot looks like, but if Mr Brink was walking first AM might think he was alone, only to find out he has to deal with Mrs Brink too and there are two kids that saw him in the act. So he panicked, losing his head completely.

On The Trail
Someone posted the arrest affidavit today.
I don’t know how accurate the time given for the incident on there is- but it says 1:15PM

The young man who saw AJM on the trail in the group of four young people said they finished the Devil’s Den trail and left about 1:30PM.

Wow even if those are estimates that is close in time and location.
The far end of the trail where Cristen and Clinton were found can’t be more than half to 3/4 miles away from the parking lot.

When AJM passed the group of four, could it have been after? I don’t think so- there was no mention of blood on his face. What I don’t know is which direction the group was going, where they were parked.

I do remember now- the young man said they passed AJM near the ‘caverns’ I think. Not sure where that is Someone here has said it is near IceBox on the map.
Does anyone know if the Caverns this guy referred to could be IceBox on the Devil’s Den Trail?


IMO

 

[knla]

The young man who saw AJM on the trail in the group of four young people said they finished the Devil’s Den trail and left about 1:30PM.

The group that passed AJM on the trail reported he had a very unpleasant demeanor. Maybe he had been stalking the Brink family and the presence of the group was interfering with his plans.

 

[LibraStarr]

I do remember now- the young man said they passed AJM near the ‘caverns’ I think. Not sure where that is Someone here has said it is near IceBox on the map.
Does anyone know if the Caverns this guy referred to could be IceBox on the Devil’s Den Trail?


IMO

Snipped for focus.

I do believe the “caverns” mentioned could be referring to the Ice Box.

On the 911 audio, one caller mentioned screaming near the Ice Box, and another said they heard screaming on the lower trail. So it makes sense to me that the “caverns” could be the same location marked as the Ice Box on the map.

IMO

 

[indicolite22]

On The Trail
Someone posted the arrest affidavit today.
I don’t know how accurate the time given for the incident on there is- but it says 1:15PM

The young man who saw AJM on the trail in the group of four young people said they finished the Devil’s Den trail and left about 1:30PM.

Wow even if those are estimates that is close in time and location.
The far end of the trail where Cristen and Clinton were found can’t be more than half to 3/4 miles away from the parking lot.

When AJM passed the group of four, could it have been after? I don’t think so- there was no mention of blood on his face. What I don’t know is which direction the group was going, where they were parked.

I do remember now- the young man said they passed AJM near the ‘caverns’ I think. Not sure where that is Someone here has said it is near IceBox on the map.
Does anyone know if the Caverns this guy referred to could be IceBox on the Devil’s Den Trail?


IMO

The witnesses said they were going from the Icebox towards the Caverns. The perp was walking in the opposite direction. They met him on the main trail when he was (IMO) on his way to the lower trail where the parents were found murdered. If it was the opposite, he would be leaving the scene along the longest possible route. As you say, they didn't notice any injuries on his face.

 

[indicolite22]

The group that passed AJM on the trail reported he had a very unpleasant demeanor. Maybe he had been stalking the Brink family and the presence of the group was interfering with his plans.

If the Brink family started on the main trail and the perp followed them, the witnesses would have encountered the family before the perp, as they were going in the opposite direction. The witnesses stated that he was in a rush, as if he wasn't interested in the nature around him.

 

[RedHaus]

Some new case news, I believe.

"Judge Joanna Taylor signed the order moving the arraignment... up to August 14, 8am"

 

[knla]

I do remember now- the young man said they passed AJM near the ‘caverns’ I think. Not sure where that is Someone here has said it is near IceBox on the map.
Does anyone know if the Caverns this guy referred to could be IceBox on the Devil’s Den Trail?

Here is a map. There are caves in the crevices. That might be what they call the caverns.

 

[cottonweaver]

I stated here that I believed people were not given enough info to help them act and feel safe.
Asking questions when there is no info is human nature, and the public is always going to do that. I trust LE, have family who is LE. But I don’t blindly trust anyone. And I protect me in my home.
It isn’t that I think I could do a better job or that I think they are stupid. They aren’t providing me security and without information I do not know how to keep myself safe.

In this situation six hours went by and AJM was at large. Then it was Day 5 when he was arrested, then a press conference happened.
LE has to balance what they tell the public, I get that. Still, people need to know how to protect themselves.

I may be sensitive due to this case of a prisoner at large a few years ago in Texas. It was terrifying.

Gonzalo Lopez- Escaped during a bus transfer near Centerville Texas, May 12, 2022. Was observed and videoed by a family as he ran across a field in all white. He disappeared.
Three weeks later he was killed 250 miles away in a shootout LE- June 2, near San Antonio.
I understand LE was reluctant to share info that may tip off or ruin an investigation, but it was so long people did not know what to do. It was terrifying.
While at large he broke into a rural home. Killed a Grandfather and his four grandsons.

Your thoughts

IMO

Just on the tipline - has it been confirmed that the tip line was down or non-existent for three days?
Just because although I heard Tony B discuss that, it must've been operational on Tuesday 29th because of the info in this link. Also Tony had been eager to give the impression that nobody could contact the cops at all

https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/devils-den-murders/caller-discusses-arkansas-state-police-devils-den-tip-submission-process/

prior to that all the local links I saw said this same thing - Call 911 or this number - ' Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact ASP Troop L at 479-751-6663 or call 911.' ( That was the original number before the tipline number)

Saturday, July 26 afternoon homicides, perp caught Weds 30 July, 5pm

 

[AngTxGal]

Snipped for focus.

I do believe the “caverns” mentioned could be referring to the Ice Box.

On the 911 audio, one caller mentioned screaming near the Ice Box, and another said they heard screaming on the lower trail. So it makes sense to me that the “caverns” could be the same location marked as the Ice Box on the map.

IMO

Trail Events
As per affidavit the event happened near 1:15 that is much earlier than I had thought.
The 911 call was around 2:30. Cristen and Clinton- found deceased near lower trail

Young Man in group of four NewsNation re group of 4
- parked at the lot nearest the river, not by the visitor center
- completed Yellow Rock Trail first, this is north of Devil’s Den
- took the trail on the river/ east side first to west side- clockwise
- saw AJM after they had passed the IceBox and were near the Caverns (Crevices on the map?)
- left the park about 1:30PM
- AJM was walking fast, head down, side-eyed, did not turn head toward them

Officials released
- AJM left park from west exit- over the bridge

INFERENCES
Group of 4 entered Devil’s Den trail from North nearest Yellow Rock. Took loop clockwise
Group passed AJM going opposite ways, so he was Headed counter-clockwise toward IceBox
Attack 1:15 or so, near lower trail- Twin Falls
Little girls head to Visitor Center- which way did they run? Back the way came? Or ahead?
911 call about 2:30PM
Bodies found, couple deceased

AJM clockwise is nearest his car from Twin Falls if parked near west exit, and/or Did he follow the girls first?

Attack is near 1:15 at Twin Falls?
Group of 4 did not pass CC and girls
CC/girls must have been behind Group of 4 also going clockwise

If attack was 1:15- and AJM left quickly toward his car at west exit did he backtrack?
Why did he not pass the Group of 4 going same direction as they were? Did he follow the girls? Cut through the middle trail then pass them the first time- after the murders?
Was he looking for the little girls?

Did the little girls head to the Visitors Center on the new part of the trail they had not seen? Or backtrack?
AJM is a runner- entire trail is 1.5 miles, Walking fast 15 min for half of trail

That is a lot happening at once, this is what I’m thinking.
Ideas?
IMO

 

[indicolite22]

Here is a map. There are caves in the crevices. That might be what they call the caverns.
View attachment 606296

Crevices are to the west of the Icebox. The witnesses were likely traveling west when they encountered AM. I'm wondering if he saw the family before they entered the trail and tried to locate them.

 

[AngTxGal]

Just on the tipline - has it been confirmed that the tip line was down or non-existent for three days?
Just because although I heard Tony B discuss that, it must've been operational on Tuesday 29th because of the info in this link. Also Tony had been eager to give the impression that nobody could contact the cops at all
View attachment 606295

https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/devils-den-murders/caller-discusses-arkansas-state-police-devils-den-tip-submission-process/

prior to that all the local links I saw said this same thing - Call 911 or this number - ' Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact ASP Troop L at 479-751-6663 or call 911.' ( That was the original number before the tipline number)

Saturday, July 26 afternoon homicides, perp caught Weds 30 July, 5pm

I did not say the TipLines were not working at all, not sure anyone has said they were non-functional.
It has been reported that they were not consistently working on Sunday.
In the Press Release LE mentions having issues with the TipLines.

In this post you’ve replied to, I did not mention TipLines.
I do not know Tony’s intentions as a person/parent who lives in the area.
If I lived in the area- I would want the tip lines to work and LE to let me know if there was a double murder suspect at large in my city/ area.
Wouldn’t you?

IMO

 

[indicolite22]

Trail Events
As per affidavit the event happened near 1:15 that is much earlier than I had thought.
The 911 call was around 2:30. Cristen and Clinton- found deceased near lower trail

Young Man in group of four NewsNation re group of 4
- parked at the lot nearest the river, not by the visitor center
- completed Yellow Rock Trail first, this is north of Devil’s Den
- took the trail on the river/ east side first to west side- clockwise
- saw AJM after they had passed the IceBox and were near the Caverns (Crevices on the map?)
- left the park about 1:30PM
- AJM was walking fast, head down, side-eyed, did not turn head toward them

Officials released
- AJM left park from west exit- over the bridge

INFERENCES
Group of 4 entered Devil’s Den trail from North nearest Yellow Rock. Took loop clockwise
Group passed AJM going opposite ways, so he was Headed counter-clockwise toward IceBox
Attack 1:15 or so, near lower trail- Twin Falls
Little girls head to Visitor Center- which way did they run? Back the way came? Or ahead?
911 call about 2:30PM
Bodies found, couple deceased

AJM clockwise is nearest his car from Twin Falls if parked near west exit, and/or Did he follow the girls first?

Attack is near 1:15 at Twin Falls?
Group of 4 did not pass CC and girls
CC/girls must have been behind Group of 4 also going clockwise

If attack was 1:15- and AJM left quickly toward his car at west exit did he backtrack?
Why did he not pass the Group of 4 going same direction as they were? Did he follow the girls? Cut through the middle trail then pass them the first time- after the murders?
Was he looking for the little girls?

Did the little girls head to the Visitors Center on the new part of the trail they had not seen? Or backtrack?
AJM is a runner- entire trail is 1.5 miles, Walking fast 15 min for half of trail

That is a lot happening at once, this is what I’m thinking.
Ideas?
IMO

How long would it take the witnesses to hike from the "Caverns" area to the trail exit? They said they were walking at a slow pace. Subtract that time from 1:30 and we'll see how soon after they encountered AM he attacked the family. IIRC, the searchers said that the victims were found near the end of the lower trail.

ETA: It looks like the witnesses were still in the park when the attack started, but too far away to hear anything, so it probably couldn't have been just a couple of minutes after their encounter with AM.

 

[AngTxGal]

How long would it take the witnesses to hike from the "Caverns" area to the trail exit? They said they were walking at a slow pace. Subtract that time from 1:30 and we'll see how soon after they encountered AM he attacked the family. IIRC, the searchers said that the victims were found near the end of the lower trail.

ETA: It looks like the witnesses were still in the park when the attack started, but too far away to hear anything, so it probably couldn't have been just a couple of minutes after their encounter with AM.

The park website says the entire trail is 1.5 miles. It is a loop, and a piece that crosses the center. Each side is half a mile or so.
From the Cavern area to the exit- 20 min?

That is my point- the times and locations appear to cross.
AJM’s route to his car may have been where the Group of 4 were.
Had he already passed them once, or was this after and he was looking for the girls?
Did he go through the woods?

All this is assuming the arrest affidavit that says 1:15 for the time of murders is close.

IMO

 

[cottonweaver]

I did not say the TipLines were not working at all, not sure anyone has said they were non-functional.
It has been reported that they were not consistently working on Sunday.
In the Press Release LE mentions having issues with the TipLines.

In this post you’ve replied to, I did not mention TipLines.
I do not know Tony’s intentions as a person/parent who lives in the area.

IMO

Yes I know you didn't mention tiplines in that last post but I thought you might know the definitive version - I was jumping off your post because you were replying on a theme about time delay re LE

 

[AngTxGal]

How long would it take the witnesses to hike from the "Caverns" area to the trail exit? They said they were walking at a slow pace. Subtract that time from 1:30 and we'll see how soon after they encountered AM he attacked the family. IIRC, the searchers said that the victims were found near the end of the lower trail.

ETA: It looks like the witnesses were still in the park when the attack started, but too far away to hear anything, so it probably couldn't have been just a couple of minutes after their encounter with AM.

He was described as looking down, didn’t turn his head, giving them the side eye.

Did they pass him after he had already committed the murders?

AJM may have not gone directly to his car.
He may have been looking for the girls.

IMO

 

[Xlady]

Trail Events
As per affidavit the event happened near 1:15 that is much earlier than I had thought.
The 911 call was around 2:30. Cristen and Clinton- found deceased near lower trail

Young Man in group of four NewsNation re group of 4
- parked at the lot nearest the river, not by the visitor center
- completed Yellow Rock Trail first, this is north of Devil’s Den
- took the trail on the river/ east side first to west side- clockwise
- saw AJM after they had passed the IceBox and were near the Caverns (Crevices on the map?)
- left the park about 1:30PM
- AJM was walking fast, head down, side-eyed, did not turn head toward them

Officials released
- AJM left park from west exit- over the bridge

INFERENCES
Group of 4 entered Devil’s Den trail from North nearest Yellow Rock. Took loop clockwise
Group passed AJM going opposite ways, so he was Headed counter-clockwise toward IceBox
Attack 1:15 or so, near lower trail- Twin Falls
Little girls head to Visitor Center- which way did they run? Back the way came? Or ahead?
911 call about 2:30PM
Bodies found, couple deceased

AJM clockwise is nearest his car from Twin Falls if parked near west exit, and/or Did he follow the girls first?

Attack is near 1:15 at Twin Falls?
Group of 4 did not pass CC and girls
CC/girls must have been behind Group of 4 also going clockwise

If attack was 1:15- and AJM left quickly toward his car at west exit did he backtrack?
Why did he not pass the Group of 4 going same direction as they were? Did he follow the girls? Cut through the middle trail then pass them the first time- after the murders?
Was he looking for the little girls?

Did the little girls head to the Visitors Center on the new part of the trail they had not seen? Or backtrack?
AJM is a runner- entire trail is 1.5 miles, Walking fast 15 min for half of trail

That is a lot happening at once, this is what I’m thinking.
Ideas?
IMO

I honestly don’t see anything other than pushing my kids back in the direction we came from in that instant. It’s not like they knew that trail and park. Safety would have been the visitor’s center, the parking lot, maybe other families they passed five minutes earlier. The other hiker witness group said they passed other people about every five to ten minutes, everyone was chatty with one another, etc. which is why the killer stuck out so much in their minds. So I imagine the Brinks having a similar experience. Behind you was safe. We don’t really know what lies ahead.

IMO

 

[AngTxGal]

Yes I know you didn't mention tiplines in that last post but I thought you might know the definitive version - I was jumping off your post because you were replying on a theme about time delay re LE

Ok-
I’m reluctant to send you to the source as it is not approved.
My issue is lack of communication, I have family within fifty miles of there and they didn’t know what was happening or what to do. We talked about the manhunt here- which was very scary.

And it would follow that if critical tips were not received as early as they could have been- then it would prolong LE getting the info they needed to catch the guy.
That is my logical conjectures- not sure there is a way to confirm that.

IMO