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

[AngTxGal]

That would mean that they met him 5 minutes before the attack (of course there could be discrepancies in times given). Would the witnesses get far enough not to hear the attack taking place? I think he counted on that or he would have ran away sooner.

IMO he left the park along the shortest route which would be on the lower trail (along the creek). The children must have been close to the visitors' center when he left the scene.

Based on what we have- it took 30 min or more for the girls to get to visitor center.

Attack 1:15PM as per arrest affidavit
911 call about 2:30PM as per many reports

That is 45 min before the call was made
Distance 1/2-3/4 mile- that is 2-3 laps around a track
Time to 10-15 min. If they took 20 min is a 3 mph pace- a quick walk for me
Did they get lost, or take the trail they didn’t know? Big difference between 15 min and 45 min

To know when AJM in car left the park- they would look at the time stamp on the video taken from the residence just outside the park. If he went straight to car- 1:30?

And then there would be time for LE to get to the scene. Without cell service and all

So glad he didn’t get to the little girls!
Heartbreaking and Sickening to imagine
IMO

 

[Inthedetails]

Page 2 of the Affidavit of Indigency is below. His rent is listed at $1700 (?). And car payment (presuming is "transportation") of $200 (?).

There are other monthly expenses for a total ~$2500 (?). With no income until he started teaching this fall and cash to his name of $1,050 (?), I suspect he was very close to going broke.

That's lot pressure. Unless he didn't care.

IMO.

ET: tighten format
View attachment 606340

$200 doesn't seem right for monthly transportation costs. I wonder if he means gas for that amount and didn't consider car payment, car insurance, car maintenance in his budget? Or, what might be core question - does he even know the costs of transportation?

$200 for food for a month for a young man? That doesn't seem easy to achieve without self-discipline. Or, it could mean he has no idea what he's spending on food. imo

I don't think the perp is capable of adulting, in more ways than one. imo

jmopinion

 

[Rational_Geographic]

Yes, he could have kept that car in the garage and cut his own hair. Or walked to a hair salon- reporters said the salon was 7 miles from his residence. Hmm, if he is a runner that is doable.
If he had stayed underground, he may be at work around kids already, or soon.

He drove around for days walking in and out of hair salons considering a haircut
He was driving that car in public.
He had Oklahoma plates- so they were out of state- wouldn’t come up on Ark registered vehicles

The public was looking for a 4 door black Mazda, not a Kia Stinger.

Why not pick him up on the road, and not a building where there are other people in danger?
It appears someone connected the car to the face and called it in to LE.
Time stamps are 1:18 outside walking in, 1:19 inside salon

Either way- it seems his driving around in the public, going in and out of hair salons for days is what got him caught.
Someone just had to link the face, body build, big head, and demeanor with the 4 door black sporty sedan and decide to call.

So glad he isn’t the brightest bulb in the fridge, may be great at fooling children but no so much aware adults.

IMO

Agree it was almost practically as if he wanted to get caught. Very odd. He also put up no fight and immediately fessed to the murders. It almost makes me wonder if he was on a suicide mission or something and he expected to be killed. His behavior all around has been so strange

 

[Inthedetails]

Agree it was almost practically as if he wanted to get caught. Very odd. He also put up no fight and immediately fessed to the murders. It almost makes me wonder if he was on a suicide mission or something and he expected to be killed. His behavior all around has been so strange

Maybe he thought if he acted normally, that would not call attention to himself. Then again, he was so new to the area, nobody would really notice, imo, if he stayed home and out of sight.

But yes, I do think he was was on a slo-mo suicide mission (whether he consciously realized that or not). I don't think he expected to be killed, necessarily, but that his life would be over by entering the prison system. I don't know if he even put that much thought into it, but, rather, passively made it happen.

And by "passively," I mean after the crime. The crime itself was obviously the opposite, but that action got the ball rolling of ending his own life.

jmopinion

 

[Rational_Geographic]

Maybe he thought if he acted normally, that would not call attention to himself. Then again, he was so new to the area, nobody would really notice, imo, if he stayed home and out of sight.

But yes, I do think he was was on a slo-mo suicide mission (whether he consciously realized that or not). I don't think he expected to be killed, necessarily, but that his life would be over by entering the prison system. I don't know if he even put that much thought into it, but, rather, passively made it happen.

And by "passively," I mean after the crime. The crime itself was obviously the opposite, but that action got the ball rolling of ending his own life.

jmopinion

Yep. Agree. I also think immediately about his taping up of his license plate, and I'm not sure the specific details here, some have suggested that his plate may have not actually been taped up to obscure per se but more of like a bootleg way to attach the plate to the vehicle perhaps.

If that's truly the case disregard what I'm about to ponder but, my thing is, if it was actually an effort to cover his plate, to me using duct or electrical tape barely accomplishes that goal in all reality. It actually does more to draw attention to a vehicle if you ask me. Your are much better off for example going into a random parking lot and finding a plate that belongs to a similar vehicle for instance and just removing that plate and temporarily using it to cover yours during the commission of the crime, then removing it and replacing with the original after the fact.

Either way I think we immediately assume these kinds of killers are much more capable/astute than they really are 1) and 2) I think it also speaks to the randomness and spur of the moment nature/element sort of "F it I'm doing this" attitude these guys posesess when they commit these crimes (ala Allen and Kohberger.) They may have been considering doing these things for weeks/months/years in advance but the moment they actually follow through, their actions are brought on much more so by emotional impulse imo.

 

[SMK777]

I wonder if in the end this will actually go to trial, or because they have admission of guilt and blood and DNA, and also witnesses and footage of the vehicle, if it will eventually be pled out. If the latter, will all the missing information we are wondering about be provided?

 

[AngTxGal]

Agree it was almost practically as if he wanted to get caught. Very odd. He also put up no fight and immediately fessed to the murders. It almost makes me wonder if he was on a suicide mission or something and he expected to be killed. His behavior all around has been so strange

To me it wasn’t a suicide mission, or you take a hostage in the hair salon, lock the doors, and wait for the cops so you can walk out the door with a knife and have them shoot you.
Morbid, yes, but would definitely get you shot since they already knew you were willing and able to kill someone.

As more evidence comes out, I’m thinking a pedo man-child, that somehow made it through college with an elementary teaching degree and license.
A petulant angry child, in some ways like BK.
You don’t let me do what I want and I’m going to run away from my troubles and hurt people because I’m a victim of life.

IMO

 

[Inthedetails]

I wonder if in the end this will actually go to trial, or because they have admission of guilt and blood and DNA, and also witnesses and footage of the vehicle, if it will eventually be pled out. If the latter, will all the missing information we are wondering about be provided?

If he pleas, I think it will be long down the road. One big reason to delay is that if the defense can find any error on the part of LE or prosecution, they will move to throw the case out. It takes time to ferret that out (and I doubt they will be successful).

And, of course, he could negotiate a guilty plea in exchange of taking the death penalty off the table. I think that is what will happen, eventually.

Whether we learn motive, I doubt it. The defendant himself might not know why he did it, and it doesn't matter in terms of conviction. And, I think the prosecution will not bring the girls into the narrative as it's not necessary and would be hurtful to them for no useful reason.

We would likely learn details of the investigation that would've been presented in court as evidence. imo

All just my opinion.

 

[Inthedetails]

To me it wasn’t a suicide mission, or you take a hostage in the hair salon, lock the doors, and wait for the cops so you can walk out the door with a knife and have them shoot you.
Morbid, yes, but would definitely get you shot since they already knew you were willing and able to kill someone.

As more evidence comes out, I’m thinking a pedo man-child, that somehow made it through college with an elementary teaching degree and license.
A petulant angry child, in some ways like BK.
You don’t let me do what I want and I’m going to run away from my troubles and hurt people because I’m a victim of life.

IMO

It's a passive approach to ending one's life, not active. I know not everyone would agree, but it's what it looks like to me.

It's like putting no effort into a marriage until finally the other spouse gets mad enough to leave. Not doing something is still doing something to cause a response.

(Not saying the crime itself was passive, to be clear.)

jmopinion

 

[AngTxGal]

Yep. Agree. I also think immediately about his taping up of his license plate, and I'm not sure the specific details here, some have suggested that his plate may have not actually been taped up to obscure per se but more of like a bootleg way to attach the plate to the vehicle perhaps.

If that's truly the case disregard what I'm about to ponder but, my thing is, if it was actually an effort to cover his plate, to me using duct or electrical tape barely accomplishes that goal in all reality. It actually does more to draw attention to a vehicle if you ask me. Your are much better off for example going into a random parking lot and finding a plate that belongs to a similar vehicle for instance and just removing that plate and temporarily using it to cover yours during the commission of the crime, then removing it and replacing with the original after the fact.

Either way I think we immediately assume these kinds of killers are much more capable/astute than they really are 1) and 2) I think it also speaks to the randomness and spur of the moment nature/element sort of "F it I'm doing this" attitude these guys posesess when they commit these crimes (ala Allen and Kohberger.) They may have been considering doing these things for weeks/months/years in advance but the moment they actually follow through, their actions are brought on much more so by emotional impulse imo.

Agree and his resignation when he realized he was surrounded by armed cops while getting his haircut?
I bet his search history on his devices will show he found out that in Arkansas double murder would likely = death penalty.
That DP could happen right then, or maybe a trial is a better idea.
Why he then told them he was responsible? Because he is clueless about due process and no one had told him to keep his mouth shut and find an attorney.

Now, what will his parents do? Will they pay off his debt, put up their savings, retirement, and home for his defense to keep him off of death row?
That question does not have an easy answer for anyone- does it? But imo it would be in line with the enabling, that I am inferring as a parent of two adults, has taken place so far.

IMO

 

[Rational_Geographic]

To me it wasn’t a suicide mission, or you take a hostage in the hair salon, lock the doors, and wait for the cops so you can walk out the door with a knife and have them shoot you.
Morbid, yes, but would definitely get you shot since they already knew you were willing and able to kill someone.

As more evidence comes out, I’m thinking a pedo man-child, that somehow made it through college with an elementary teaching degree and license.
A petulant angry child, in some ways like BK.
You don’t let me do what I want and I’m going to run away from my troubles and hurt people because I’m a victim of life.

IMO

Well by suicide I mean the entire ordeal but specifically the initial attack. Almost as if him attacking someone on the trail might give him whatever pleasure he anticipated in the moment but then after the fact he's not opposed to a scenario playing out where he's also injured and possibly killed or like maybe killed during the attack by a bystander or LE or something. Then when that didn't happen he's like okay whatever and just indifferent about it.

I do agree with your Kohberger comparison. He very likely justifies his actions in his mind by telling himself his lashing out is a byproduct of his being a victim of societal pressure. I think what a lot of people don't realize in these situations we get caught up in the pathology of it all which is fascinating, sure. And while it may be true in some cases these guys do this on the premise they're smarter than everyone and they are going to get away with murder, nobody would at least not realistically consider the alternative scenario where they're caught and apprehended. There has to be some point of acknowledgement with these perps where they consciously decide that giving into their sick urges is preferable even if it could mean throwing away their lives. These are the things that are not discussed enough imo.

 

[AngTxGal]

Well by suicide I mean the entire ordeal but specifically the initial attack. Almost as if him attacking someone on the trail might give him whatever pleasure he anticipated in the moment but then after the fact he's not opposed to a scenario playing out where he's also injured and possibly killed or like maybe killed during the attack by a bystander or LE or something. Then when that didn't happen he's like okay whatever and just indifferent about it.

I do agree with your Kohberger comparison. He very likely justifies his actions in his mind by telling himself his lashing out is a byproduct of his being a victim of societal pressure. I think what a lot of people don't realize in these situations we get caught up in the pathology of it all which is fascinating, sure. And while it may be true in some cases these guys do this on the premise they're smarter than everyone and they are going to get away with murder, nobody would at least not realistically consider the alternative scenario where they're caught and apprehended. There has to be some point of acknowledgement with these perps where they consciously decide that giving into their sick urges is preferable even if it could mean throwing away their lives. These are the things that are not discussed enough imo.

Of course, agree 100%.
And as you said, he was likely living out some kind of fantasy in real life.
In those fantasies, much like gaming, you die a pop back to try again.

He chose over months, days, or minutes to do something violent in person, fully aware that it may not go well, but was unable or unwilling to stifle the impulse- so he embraced it.

I am an animal lover, but I would never own a pit bull. When I was in high school I watched one literally tear apart my grandmothers little dog in her front yard. My grandmother was headed to take it on and was going to be next- but my uncle shot it dead right there.
What do you do with a person who is a ticking time bomb like that pit bull?

IMO

 

[ADP2019]

Agree and his resignation when he realized he was surrounded by armed cops while getting his haircut?
I bet his search history on his devices will show he found out that in Arkansas double murder would likely = death penalty.
That DP could happen right then, or maybe a trial is a better idea.
Why he then told them he was responsible? Because he is clueless about due process and no one had told him to keep his mouth shut and find an attorney.

Now, what will his parents do? Will they pay off his debt, put up their savings, retirement, and home for his defense to keep him off of death row?
That question does not have an easy answer for anyone- does it? But imo it would be in line with the enabling, that I am inferring as a parent of two adults, has taken place so far.

IMO

given that the family is Catholic, they might be opposed to the death penalty and likely to help their son fight it. If DP is off the table, they might not help him with his defense.

 

[AngTxGal]

I wonder if in the end this will actually go to trial, or because they have admission of guilt and blood and DNA, and also witnesses and footage of the vehicle, if it will eventually be pled out. If the latter, will all the missing information we are wondering about be provided?

I don’t expect it to go to trial, and I don’t think our questions will be answered.
The realty of that is unsettling, but just maybe a lot of kids can begin to find healing without all the details coming out to the public. I’m ok with that

IMO

 

[AngTxGal]

given that the family is Catholic, they might be opposed to the death penalty and likely to help their son fight it. If DP is off the table, they might not help him with his defense.

If he had any maturity, remorse, sense of decency and love for his parents, he would not allow his parents to sacrifice their present and future to pay for his transgressions.
But, I don’t think he has that kind of maturity.

How do you rack up $7500 of credit card debt?
My daughter does the nesting thing, cute wardrobe, and matching color scheme per room.
My son buys thrift clothes, furniture like cardboard boxes but computer, food, and ski pass.
LOL- I’m guessing he spent his money on gaming console or computer and all the bells and whistles.
He is 28, mine are barely in their twenties.

What does a 28 yr old guy do to show they are preparing for the future? A solid prospect for a relationship with a young woman?
- upwardly mobile? Solid job prospects, networking
- managing debt, learning to budget
- social bonds, creating roots
- dating

What else? He is past the age for cash for movie, hotdog and popcorn and a car to get there.

IMO

 

[Inthedetails]

There has to be some point of acknowledgement with these perps where they consciously decide that giving into their sick urges is preferable even if it could mean throwing away their lives. These are the things that are not discussed enough imo.

snipped

That is a very good question.

What is the tipping point that pushes the person to take action on a fantasy/compulsion/urge/temptation?

I'm guessing there is a phase of self-loathing about the anti-social thoughts and finally it's relief to just act on them?

I don't know.

jmopinion

 

[RedHaus]

I'm guessing there is a phase of self-loathing about the anti-social thoughts and finally it's relief is to just act on them?

Or... putting AJM's suspected pedophilia urges aside, what if he just wanted - along your and @Rational_Geographic 's line of inquiry - to silence the commanding voices he may have had in his head, if he was struggling with schizophrenia?

I still wonder if the man had an underlying serious mental illness that was unmanaged or perhaps undiagnosed. That could explain his seemingly haphazard behavior after his crime.

IMO.

 

[Megnut]

Hot headed, he might be a grievance collector, upset with adults who judge him. And wanted someone to pay for that. Walking along.... sees a perfectly normal, healthy, happy family and resents it completely. Angry, frustrated, entitled, barren --

Father's instinct might have been to protect his family from this lone figure, solid instinct. The man radiates rage.

Not unlike a mad man who plows his car into a parade and kills people who were having a good day because they were having a good day.

His history shows that he can't comport to societal standards. Way over the line. But also IMO a woman hater -- I'm going to guess he can't get/keep an adult girlfriend and resents women -- all women -- because of it. Some people have zero self reflection, zero self awareness.

He went to the trail angry as hell -- his motive may have been as simple and as ugly as the desire to destroy a man/family for having what he couldn't. Not lost on me that this family had two little girls... raising another potential motive.

Guy had serious issues.

But I'm going to guess he never saw what the big deal was... and would say his issues weren't with children but with admin and parents. Way messed up thinking.

My question, how was he familiar enough with the park to isolate victims like he did? Did he see them on the trail, then get around in front of our behind them? So brazen with other hikers, in broad daylight no less.

Awful.

JMO

 

[indicolite22]

He was losing control of some of the aspects in his life. Maybe he was blaming other people for it; he certainly looked angry. Perhaps this crime was a way of lasting out, but why choose an innocent family? What was in it for him long-term? Building up his ego? Even if he got away with it, it wouldn't have solved his problems. Would he do it again? At some point, criminals probably minimize the likelihood of getting caught in favor of the thrill (or the benefit) factor.

 

[Onlyguessing23]

Or has he done it before? I’m still pondering this possibility.

JMO