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

[indicolite22]

This is an early eyewitness account. Apparently a guy on an e-bike swerved past AM not long before the murders. He gave a physical description as well (blonde hair and eyebrows, a hat, dark clothing and gloves). I'm trying to figure out the location of this encounter. There is a video in the article where the guy shows a trail map.

"He was on the mountain biking trail and the hiking trail was down here just below about 10 feet and it was a perfect place to stake out people. You could see them coming [from] both directions and so, I think that's why he was on the mountain biking trails because he could see people coming and going."

OKC man recounts facing killer moments before Arkansas couple’s murder

An Oklahoma City man told News 9 on Monday that he came face-to-face with the suspect in a brutal slaying at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas, on the same day the killing took place.

www.news9.com

ETA: A still from the video at the link. The location pointed out is on the opposite side of the river/creek from the Devil's Den trail where the murders occurred.

 

[AngTxGal]

That's not assumption. That's what witnesses, students and their parents stated. There is no single report of McGann being interested in boys, while there are multiple claims he ignored male students. I think we can safely say there is no shred of evidence this man was interested in boys and plethora of it about his nefarious interest in girls. So the probability he had anything to do with James Yoblonsky case is so small that basically non existent. IMO.

At this point we are limited to the public press in an ongoing investigation.
there is much much more behind the scenes that is possible

Do you think any of the parents who have a child they believe has been groomed would trust themselves or that child to the public? None of those parents have come forward.

We do not know what he did outside of school, in his past, or between jobs.

It is not true that men who prey on girls could not also have inappropriate contact with boys.

Some exploit both girls and boys? Not type but opportunity driven.
Some feed their ego and threaten by exposing their larger private parts to boys.
The way boys come forward is very different compared to girls.
Such an assumption may mean some boys have not been asked.
The stigma for boys will keep them quiet, some boys will even lie.
Some threaten or coerce boys regarding what they may have witnessed.
Did you know the opportunity to be inappropriate with boys is much greater- adult males in many schools share a bathroom with elementary age boys- that have urinals.

Would this guy harm a child if that child threatened to expose what they had witnessed?
He murdered two adults in the daytime in a public place in front of witnesses.

What harm does it do for posters here to follow their own intuitions?

IMO

 

[Hexe]

It is not true that men who prey on girls could not also have inappropriate contact with boys.

There is no evidence this particular man had any interest in boys. Of course you do you, I am just saying that in my opinion he is not involved in James Yoblonsky's vanishing.

 

[Inthedetails]

There is no evidence this particular man had any interest in boys. Of course you do you, I am just saying that in my opinion he is not involved in James Yoblonsky's vanishing.

I agree. James' disappearance is very different than what we know of the Arkansas case. imo

jmopinion

 

[Hexe]

Did LE indicate that it was an ambush attack? I don’t remember that.

Here:

While on a family hike at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday, Cristen’s husband Clinton was ambushed and stabbed by an attacker, according to Arkansas State Police.

Bolded by me.

 

[AngTxGal]

There is no evidence this particular man had any interest in boys. Of course you do you, I am just saying that in my opinion he is not involved in James Yoblonsky's vanishing.

But there is no evidence of any of these either-
- murdered anyone prior to Devil’s Den, disposed of a body, hid the evidence well?
- has kidnapped a child- what happened next? It seems murder is next.

Devil’s Den was 40 min from home- Tulsa was his home for many years
Tulsa County
Tulsa city
Sand Springs
Broken Arrow

Cases not in the news- Their parents do not speak English well, are involved in drugs or crime, or are fearful of retaliation- so they go unnoticed.

In Tulsa those vulnerable people- poor, homeless, children of Hispanic immigrants, Native Am
NamUs-Tulsa County Missing Persons I think this link will go directly- or type in Tulsa County
There are SEVEN Pages of missing persons for Tulsa County, OK
None listed are younger than school age to 13 years of age
Some of the cases are pretty old

I think he is a pedo, and when confronted by an adult just when he thought he was going to be successful- he snapped and killed them.

I’m not sure he is a career murderer, didn’t cover it up at all. Left witnesses and evidence.
But he may be better at these things- and escalating?
- molesting a child in a city where he has lived in the past.
- molesting a young child in the restroom of a busy public place- water park, amusement park.
Creep at a park watching kids, zoo, gardens, museum, mall where parents are distracted.
Home invasion

I’m relatively new here- will get busy and fade away..
My skin is leather thick, so I’ll always do me and trust intentions are to help
IMO

 

[AngTxGal]

This is an early eyewitness account. Apparently a guy on an e-bike swerved past AM not long before the murders. He gave a physical description as well (blonde hair and eyebrows, a hat, dark clothing and gloves). I'm trying to figure out the location of this encounter. There is a video in the article where the guy shows a trail map.

"He was on the mountain biking trail and the hiking trail was down here just below about 10 feet and it was a perfect place to stake out people. You could see them coming [from] both directions and so, I think that's why he was on the mountain biking trails because he could see people coming and going."

OKC man recounts facing killer moments before Arkansas couple’s murder

An Oklahoma City man told News 9 on Monday that he came face-to-face with the suspect in a brutal slaying at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas, on the same day the killing took place.

www.news9.com

ETA: A still from the video at the link. The location pointed out is on the opposite side of the river/creek from the Devil's Den trail where the murders occurred.

View attachment 607473

Wow, I remember the discussions that Bridge Guy was doing the same thing, was positioned where he could see who was coming in both directions and time when they would get near him.

It sure sounds like hunting behavior!

There are trail runners on biking trails sometimes, they want the terrain- but a pretty dangerous choice if the trails are busy with bikes. Especially around blind corners.

If this mountain bike trail had a direction people have to use- the bikes go fast.

If it is open to hikers, runners and bikes in both directions then everyone has to stay alert.

Devil’s Den Park mountain bike terrain
Here is a video of a bike trail that goes along the creek- you can see the terrain, how shady


IMO

 

[AngTxGal]

Here:



Bolded by me.

Where is this from? It sounds like an interpretation of what they said with the circumstances.
Is there a statement writing in addition to the press conferences? If so, I’ve not see that.

I found it and the writer does used those words, ASP did not use ‘ambush’.
CNN Crime and Justice article Aug 1

It sure sounds like he was hunting, hiding, and ready for violence.
I still wonder- Did he jump out and stab Clinton in the chest?
Or- did he encountered the girls first and then the parents came around a corner.

I suspect the girls were a bit ahead and he was near them.
The image from the back looks like a face covering pulled down to the neck.
He would have looked scary with that up on his face.

So if he was nearer to the girls- why did he not stab the girls?
I think his intention was to take one or both of them. And it did not work out as planned.

It may be splitting hairs- but to some a surprise attack helps explain why Clinton was overcome- to me a knife explains that, and that AJM is about 15 years younger, in good shape, and appears to be a bigger guy.

I hope at some point we will hear their description of what took place.
IMO

 

[SMK777]

Wow, I remember the discussions that Bridge Guy was doing the same thing, was positioned where he could see who was coming in both directions and time when they would get near him.

It sure sounds like hunting behavior!

Snipped for emphasis

Yes, the similarity is stunning and yet upon further thought is to be expected.

I think he is a pedo, and when confronted by an adult just when he thought he was going to be successful- he snapped and killed them.

It would certainly give some foundation for the ambush attack.

 

[Motherofvoids16]

Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe he looks "normal" in the photo with Khan because someone else took the photo and directed him.

jmo

I guess anything is possible. He just looks genuinely happy to me, in that pic. He said in his "dolphin" school profile that cats are his favorite animals, but for dog lovers not to worry because he loves dogs, too. He writes well and sounded so normal in that profile. I do wonder (like we all do) what the trigger was (in his mind) that sent him over the edge. I guess it was just a downward spiral into madness, rather than one thing.

 

[Motherofvoids16]

Yeah, I mean with Bryan Kohberger it seemed like a pretty big jump to go from a clean record to suddenly killing four strangers in cold blood, so you have to question if there had been others.

With James McGann, I don't know. At Devil's Den he may have only intended to target the Husband, and even that might have stemmed from some sort of dispute ("You lookin' at my kids, buddy? What are you some kind of pervert?") and then the wife was just collateral damage when she went back to intervein.

The part that really makes me really wonder though, is that he just looks like a crazed killer.
When you're this pissed off with the world surely it's only a matter of time before something gives?

strangers

This is my analysis, as well. I believe Dad was the intended target and Mom was collateral damage. I am still not convinced of the pedo angle since the accusations were made by one family. Certainly not ruling it out, but I would need more people to come forward for me to buy it.

 

[RedHaus]

I guess it was just a downward spiral into madness, rather than one thing.

Since I don't like to perseverate in a WS thread, to spare others the monotony, I snipped and bolded this OP's statement because I agree. Hence why I believe there'll be an attempt by the defense for an insanity plea. And my guess is it'll be undiagnosed or untreated (previously diagnosed) schizophrenia.

ETA: paranthetical in last sentence

 

[Motherofvoids16]

I was wondering the same thing, and it could be he applied for a position out of his wheelhouse.
AJM taught 4th-5th grades

He may have applied for position with younger children?
K-2 are Early Childhood or primary grades
3-5 Intermediate

He may have liked Fayetteville applied to all open positions in districts along hwy 45.
He applied to these, they have made statements to the press.
Bentonville- not qualified for position
Springdale- hired
Fayetteville-

I wonder if there are others schools where he submitted an application.
Rogers, Farmington, Cave Springs

Interesting is that Prairie Grove, where the Brinks had moved is about the same distance south of Fayetteville as Springdale is north of Fayetteville.
Did he apply to Prairie Grove?

IMO

Yup, not just certifications, but so many schools (at least in my state, not sure about others) require various endorsements (i.e. reading, autism, etc.). To me, "deemed unqualified" sounds more like someone does not meet the requirements for a job posting, rather than someone simply not being selected for an interview. With all that being said, it sounds like his job search was growing desperate if he was applying for positions for which he was not certified or endorsed.

 

[AngTxGal]

Snipped for emphasis

Yes, the similarity is stunning and yet upon further thought is to be expected.



It would certainly give some foundation for the ambush attack.

Absolutely, I think there is evidence they may have been followed and hunted.
But I don’t think ASP stated that a confrontation could not have occurred.

Abbie and Libby were hunted, they ran and were chased and killed in the woods. From what has been described RAllen seems to have planned a hunt.

Idaho 4- was an ambush. Xana seems the only one who had time to defend herself.

If AJM had ambushed Clinton, he would jump him from behind and cut his neck.
ASP stated Clinton was the first one attacked, stabbed in the chest. He and AJM were face to face, and they likely fought. You can’t stab someone in the chest from behind.

IMO

 

[Arkay]

Did you know the opportunity to be inappropriate with boys is much greater- adult males in many schools share a bathroom with elementary age boys- that have urinals.

Yikes!!!!!!

This would never occur to me.

In my school and I think most schools here have separate bathrooms for teachers, lock and key.

The only time I would enter a girls’ student bathroom is if I passed by and heard kids just hanging out, so I’d chase them back to their classrooms. Cell phones were banned in my school by the third principal we had during my time there, but kids in different classes would make plans earlier to meet…they’d each tell whichever teacher they had that they needed the bathroom but it was prearranged that they’d go at the same time.

I know because other kids told me.

I cannot even imagine male teachers at urinals next to students.

JMO and experience.

 

[AngTxGal]

I guess anything is possible. He just looks genuinely happy to me, in that pic. He said in his "dolphin" school profile that cats are his favorite animals, but for dog lovers not to worry because he loves dogs, too. He writes well and sounded so normal in that profile. I do wonder (like we all do) what the trigger was (in his mind) that sent him over the edge. I guess it was just a downward spiral into madness, rather than one thing.

Just an idea-
We know he didn’t seem to connect with peers n his university cohort, as per the statements by a female student who was a part of that group of 57.

Was he unable to connect socially?
Or was he uncomfortable, fearful of rejection?
Is he a product of bullying?
A bit of a loner
Maybe lonely, seeking affection, socially awkward
In a new city

And than, this guy is the center of attention in a classroom of 20 or so kids, alone.
He makes an effort and they respond in kind.
He is the cool teacher, the one that lets them play on their iPADs
He plays games with them, chase.
He had a running club after school.
He played truth or dare with kids.

Children 8-12 do not always respect physical boundaries, if they come from open and affectionate families they tend to treat you like a family member.
Little girls that age can come across as friendly, open, even a bit flirty, some are masters of getting Dad wrapped around their fingers, all in an innocent way- of course.
He did not have a sister.

Did he misinterpret the nature of little girls 8-12 years old as advances?

He is quoted as having said
“If you were older, I would marry you.”
“If you were older, I would like to date you.”
I can see how a young man may not move away, but instead move into it and at first it is benign but it grows into something more.
A guy with maturity would understand- you move away.
That seems possible, that his inappropriate behavior could have begun in this way.
He didn’t form a relationship with any one particular child- that we know of at this time.
Maybe he did?

How it leads to murder??? I’m not quite sure.

IMO

 

[indicolite22]

This is my analysis, as well. I believe Dad was the intended target and Mom was collateral damage. I am still not convinced of the pedo angle since the accusations were made by one family. Certainly not ruling it out, but I would need more people to come forward for me to buy it.

The accusations were made by multiple families. At least three mothers from Texas spoke to the media about it. It was reported to the school, too. Multiple children witnessed it.

If dad was the only target, what was the motive? How come he didn't target someone who was on the trail alone? If both parents were targets, what were his plans for the children?

 

[Cryptic]

Actually the process can’t work as you described, here is why.

You seem to be advocating to remove teachers using rumors and suspicions without an investigation? Without an investigation victims are ignored, no criminal charges can be known about to be filed, and the process continues. That is what is happens now.

There are two different types of investigations and charges:

A. Criminal (guilt beyond a reasonable doubt).
B. Administrative (.does not require guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Rather level of evidence is decided by each state or national review board.)

An administrative investigations would be needed to find creeper allegations credible. Administrative revocations f BAR membership, medical licensenses and teachers certificates include rebuttal and appeal possibilities for the accused.

The Lewisville children were not ignored. Rather, the investigators determined that no criminal behavior as defined by the Texas Penal Code had occurred. One can radiate creepiness in a school setting each and everyday and never commit a single criminal act

Criminal charges cannot be filed maliciously (we want this person to be removed from a profession, we want to send him a warning, or to frighten him). So.... with a certain number of creeper teachers, criminal charges (guilt beyond a reasonable doubt of an actual criminal act) are not possible.

But.... accelerated administrative procedures to remove teacher certificates are very possible. For example, state BAR organizations can simplify procedures to remove bad attorneys.

 

[Hexe]

If dad was the only target, what was the motive? How come he didn't target someone who was on the trail alone?

I don't know how the trail looks like in the place of the attack, but I see a possibility that if Mr Brink was walking in front and rest of his family few feet behind, McGann might think he was walking solo and impulsively attack without checking if Mr Brink was really without company.

As for motive I would think anger release. McGann has anger issues, according to his teammates flying off handle for barely a reason, yet he worked in a profession thst did not allow him for having temper tantrums in public. He had to, basically, sit on his anger and suck it up. I'd say rugby was his first, albeit limited, vent, then he tried running, but I bet it was not enough. I would look for a homicide committed in Chicago area between 2015 to 19, a random, brutal attack on a person in a place frequented by runners. Beating, blunt force trauma with random blunt object or stabbing. That would be his first.

 

[RedHaus]

If AJM had ambushed Clinton, he would jump him from behind and cut his neck.
ASP stated Clinton was the first one attacked, stabbed in the chest. He and AJM were face to face, and they likely fought. You can’t stab someone in the chest from behind

RS&BBM
Well, at the risk of being too graphic, I think you can physically and easily stab someone in the chest from behind. An ambush from behind, one arm grabs the victim's body and arms and pulls them tight to the perp's chest, while the perp's other arm stabs the victim in the chest.

Of course this would only work if the perp acts with haste and precision and the victim is stunned and cannot defend themselves. But if the victim is able to disrupt that intended strike, then a fight ensues. And if a partner is nearby, unbeknownst to the perp, as @Hexe just opined, then it's messy.

IMO