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

[Knox]

Black tape to cover up his license plate really leads me to believe this was very intentional.

Looks targeted.

MOO

Random killers who aren’t targeting someone specifically don’t usually think that far in advance. But I suppose if he only planned to kill a random victim- it’s possible?

 

[TexLil]

There are several trails at the park. I think there are at least two near the visitor's center

Yes. Check out post #17 which links to a video containing scanner audio which references that the bodies were found on "Lower Devil's Den trail" which looks to me like the closet to the visitor's center. MOO

 

[Knox]

Public records including Cristen's Facebook Page, indicate they were from Miles City, MT

https://www.facebook.com/catrent23/posts/pfbid02WKTYgeLpojKuj2eNG7oeTMrJRyJaPY1mhN4P1hDEj9VQ1qz78LN2uQxXnjHPBKo4l

She is also a RN, I'll post the license info.

 

[Inthedetails]

Yes. Check out post #17 which links to a video containing scanner audio which references that the bodies were found on "Lower Devil's Den trail" which looks to me like the closet to the visitor's center. MOO

And the perp likely was parked at the visitors' center too.

Did a confrontation happen in the parking lot? In the center? Perhaps he was belligerent and the family decided to walk away, but he followed them? (IDK, just thinking aloud.)

jmopinion

 

[Knox]

California Search-

• BRINK, CRISTEN AMANDA​

• License Number: 95346589
• License Type: Registered Nurse
• License Status: Current
  
• Expiration Date: July 31, 2025
• Secondary Status: N/A
• City: MILES CITY
• State: Montana
• County: N/A
• Zip: 59301

Montana Search -
License InformationLicensing Board/Program: Board of Nursing
License Type: Registered Nurse License
License Number: NUR-RN-LIC-195437
License Status: Closed
License Expiration Date: 12/21/2023
License Issued Date: 06/08/2022

License HolderBusiness Name:
Name: Cristen Amanda Brink

South Dakota Search-
7/27/2025 4:48:35 PM

 

[swanniee11]

Or did some psycho just decide to go on a hunt and attacked them, he could have planned for himself without knowing who his target was yet. I don't know, I need more info.

 

[Knox]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1949611414001225903

 

[Vaderman]

Definitely sounds targeted/planned based on the suspect's description:

"nvestigators now believe he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, with sleeves rolled up, rather than a tank top as originally reported. The suspect is an unknown white male with a medium build. He was wearing dark pants, a dark ballcap and sunglasses. The suspect had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan."

https://dps.arkansas.gov/news/asp-releases-additional-information-in-devils-den-double-homicide/

 

[angelainwi]

Black tape to cover up his license plate really leads me to believe this was very intentional.

Looks targeted.

MOO

Or did he just go there knowing he was going to hunt people so he covered up his license plate because of it.

ETA: Sorry didn't realize that several posters commented basically the same thing.

 

[Inthedetails]

Or did some psycho just decide to go on a hunt and attacked them, he could have planned for himself without knowing who his target was yet. I don't know, I need more info.

That could very well be.

On one hand, it seems planned, but on the other hand, the family is new to the area and probably didn't know anyone well enough to have murderous anger toward them. They moved from Montana and I'm guessing they were not hated by anyone enough to be followed so far and then attacked on a public trail. From the looks of it, they are a normal, nice family on a weekend outing. imo. I don't think the perp is anyone they know.

I think he might be "on edge" and something set him off on the trail. Or, he purposely went on the trail to attack - but why a family of four?

jmopinion

 

[StarryStarryNight]

He doesn’t happen to work for a big health care company or something does he?
It feels so much like a targeted attack by a random person, like Mangione’s attack.

 

[realanastasia]

Black tape to cover up his license plate really leads me to believe this was very intentional.

Looks targeted.

MOO

Could also just be garden-variety paranoia, with or without specific concerns about being surveilled by government types (or, as I think sone conspiracy theorists might describe it, by the “New World Order”). Something about the description of his clothing just strikes me as…”Lone Gunmen”-ish (fellow “X Files” fans will understand what I mean).

 

[Inthedetails]

BBM:

"The timeline of the incident starts when the first call came in to the Washington County EMS a little bit before 2:30 p.m., reporting a possible assault, according to police scanner audio obtained by 5NEWS. Shortly after, law enforcement officers responded to the scene to search for a possible suspect and victims.

Less than an hour into the search, officials searching the trails heard screams from a distance. By the time they caught up to the family, it was too late. The couple who was killed were identified as Clinton, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41. They were hiking with their two young daughters at the time of the attack, police confirmed."

Why it took Arkansas State Police 6 hours to release information on wanted suspect after Devil's Den double homicide

Officials said the mix of the remote location and the time it took to arrive on scene and gather information explained the lapse in the time.

www.thv11.com

 

[sunflowermomma]

If the girls were locked in the car and/or ran ahead to get help, I wonder what the initial encounter was. Did the suspect approach them pretending to need help or otherwise give them weird vibes and the parents knew to get the kids way quickly (i.e. "go wait in the car and lock the door we'll be right there") or did he approach and start attacking without saying anything? JMO

 

[nao]

BBM:

"The timeline of the incident starts when the first call came in to the Washington County EMS a little bit before 2:30 p.m., reporting a possible assault, according to police scanner audio obtained by 5NEWS. Shortly after, law enforcement officers responded to the scene to search for a possible suspect and victims.

Less than an hour into the search, officials searching the trails heard screams from a distance. By the time they caught up to the family, it was too late. The couple who was killed were identified as Clinton, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41. They were hiking with their two young daughters at the time of the attack, police confirmed."

Why it took Arkansas State Police 6 hours to release information on wanted suspect after Devil's Den double homicide

Officials said the mix of the remote location and the time it took to arrive on scene and gather information explained the lapse in the time.

www.thv11.com

Moo...I for figured it was all over by the time police got there. But it wasn't. Seems it wasn't a quick stab n go..moo

 

[Inthedetails]

If the girls were locked in the car and/or ran ahead to get help, I wonder what the initial encounter was. Did the suspect approach them pretending to need help or otherwise give them weird vibes and the parents knew to get the kids way quickly (i.e. "go wait in the car and lock the door we'll be right there") or did he approach and start attacking without saying anything? JMO

The girls seemed to have been in the visitors' center when they summoned help. I'm getting that from the 911 call. You can hear that at the link below. Also included is the police scanner exchange:

Trooper 1: “Do we need to cover the lower trails or just stay on the main trail?”

Trooper 2: “Cover the main trail first.”

Trooper 1: “Oh, help.”

Trooper 2: “Sweep the main trail first right now.”

Trooper 1: “Main trail… I saw hiking down… I’m asking for help…”

Trooper 2: “Say that again, repeat.

Trooper 1: “I hear yells calling for help, we’re walking down…”

Trooper 2: “Try to relay to the office that we found the victims down here. There are on the lower Devil’s Den Trail… I think I see you right there. I’ve got two bodies down here.”

The 911 and scanner exchanges are within the news segment video at the link:

https://www.kark.com/crime/listen-radio-captures-moment-bodies-found-at-devils-den/

 

[Woolly]

Definitely sounds targeted/planned based on the suspect's description:

"nvestigators now believe he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, with sleeves rolled up, rather than a tank top as originally reported. The suspect is an unknown white male with a medium build. He was wearing dark pants, a dark ballcap and sunglasses. The suspect had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan."

https://dps.arkansas.gov/news/asp-releases-additional-information-in-devils-den-double-homicide/

I’m not sure this outfit means much. If you’re going for a hike, you might want to wear a ballcap and sunglasses and carry a backpack. The gloves are a little odd, but if I were planning to commit a crime, I think I’d go for the ones with fingers…

I think from what we know now, it’s equally likely to be targeted, planned but not targeted (hunting but not specifically for them), or unplanned as a result of an altercation.

Even the tape on the license plate could have been applied afterwards. (Or honestly could have been applied beforehand for reasons not related to planning a murder. People who are already paranoid might be more likely to react poorly to a confrontation on the trail, for example.)

If I had to pick one, I might go with the confrontation gone wrong scenario. I don’t think they had been in Arkansas long enough to make that kind of an enemy, nor do I think they were high-profile enough to be tracked down by someone from another state. I also think someone hunting for victims wouldn’t necessarily choose a family of four. So that leaves an argument that escalated?

But again, there’s just so much we don’t know yet.

 

[Inthedetails]

Moo...I for figured it was all over by the time police got there. But it wasn't. Seems it wasn't a quick stab n go..moo

Now that I'm thinking about it, I wonder if there were OTHER hikers who were calling for help, after they found the bodies on the trail. ?? Maybe everyone is assuming it was the victims crying for help? idk.

jmopinion

 

[TexLil]

Random thought re: the fingerless gloves... Mountain bikers wear fingerless gloves and Devils Den State Park is "considered the home of Arkansas mountain biking". (per link).

Devil's Den State Park Monument Trail | Arkansas State Parks

The Monument Trails are world-class mountain biking destinations within Arkansas State Parks, that showcase natural iconic beauty, innovation and sustainability. These multi-use trails offer enduring outdoor experiences to trail riders of all skill levels, with an adventure-minded approach that...

www.arkansasstateparks.com

That said the rest of the outfit (black pants, baseball hat) doesn't sound like mountain biking gear. And no bike rack on the back of the car that we've heard of... Ok back to thinking.

ETA image of cycling gloves

 

[Inthedetails]

Random thought re: the fingerless gloves... Mountain bikers wear fingerless gloves and Devils Den State Park is "considered the home of Arkansas mountain biking". (per link).

Devil's Den State Park Monument Trail | Arkansas State Parks

The Monument Trails are world-class mountain biking destinations within Arkansas State Parks, that showcase natural iconic beauty, innovation and sustainability. These multi-use trails offer enduring outdoor experiences to trail riders of all skill levels, with an adventure-minded approach that...

www.arkansasstateparks.com

That said the rest of the outfit (black pants, baseball hat) doesn't sound like mountain biking gear. And no bike rack on the back of the car that we've heard of... Ok back to thinking.

ETA image of cycling gloves

Or maybe the gloves were for rock climbing?

I don't think the perp was a rock climber, but tossing the idea out there.

jmopinion