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

[StarryStarryNight]

what about tracing all cell phone pings at the car park during that time frame on the day ? would it yield interesting results? unless perp had switched off .....

My understanding is cell phone service is pretty much nonexistent in that area.

 

[PunishThenForgive]

He likely has something tied around his waist. Even more clothing?

I agree. It looks to me that the striped material is a sweater/light jacket tied around his waste, and that the object I asked about earlier (circled below, with the white tip) is a (metal?) rod of some sort with a ceramic or white plastic tip that sticks out of the sweater’s right pocket. The duffle looks to me to be hanging horizontally from straps on both shoulders, on top of a backpack or water carrier.

IMO

 

[justtrish]

I agree, though then, why not leave all the clothes,/carrier in the car?

I'm leaning towards him intending to quickly remove his outer layers of (bloody) clothing/weapon and stash them in the bag, before anyone could see him, and to avoid getting any DNA in his car.

I heard a highly respected criminologist speculate that Lizzie Borden got away with killing her father by wearing only his heavy greatcoat, inside out and back to front, and then laying it under his body...was how there was no blood on her clothing...

If Lizzie could think of such a thing...

But in this case, if the killer was injured, he may have left his own blood behind.

JMO

I am going to assume that this guy arrived to the park and was intending to wait around for the "right" target/s. If it's a loop trail, it seems he could sorta hang around and walk a little here and there to appear to be out hiking and at the same time watch for who is starting this hike and then plan for when they will be coming back around (again I think it's mentioned as a loop trail). Maybe he spend his time waiting around in the shorts and tank top so he seems better suited for the trail and the weather and then once he picked his victim he went somewhere to put on the ridiculous clothing we see in the photo.

I have seen speculation that this photo could have came from a trail/game camera so maybe nobody actually saw him in his clothing and it was from some game cam. This is all me speculating and not fact.

Then the victims children would have seen the man and maybe they are witnesses that say this man was in black pants and a long sleeve shirt. Right after he kills the parents he takes off the pants/long sleeve and puts them in the odd bag and he hikes out in shorts and a tank top looking just like he did when he was waiting around before the murders.

If so maybe he is thinking he can enter and exit looking one way and kill them looking another way. Then if he's on camera he won't look anything like any witnesses would describe.

This also makes some sense if he is watching the trail, he would know if anyone else was close by or would be coming along soon after based on how many people he saw walking the trail before he decided to kill them. He could sort of wait for the right victims and the right timing.

This is just so risky though because stabbing would cause a lot of screaming and picking this family with 4 people leaves so many possibilities for people to escape and get help, which I also imagine could leave people running down the trail screaming and drawing attention to what is going on.

Sorry that was long, but to answer your question, I think he didn't leave the clothing in the car because he wanted to blend in with people hiking until he found his victims and then he could cover up and commit his crime and then uncover and walk out looking like everyone else just out hiking.

 

[Rational_Geographic]

I understand at first glance thinking that's a skirt or long shirt or something but when you look at it more its clearly a satchel of some sort (there's actually three carrying sacks in fact, the duffle, a traditional backpack and then at the bottom is that satchel, which almost reminds me of like a hamper you might carry around at college for dirty clothes or something.) Once that's cleared up however is there a reason people are claiming he's trans that I'm not seeing? If not that's a weird thing to not let go of after you make sense of all his bags. I'm not seeing it.

 

[warp3dwing]

Couple of paradoxes with the clothing. Perp clearly has a lot of hiking/trail gear, The North Face long sleeve, the backpack, the shoes look like proper hiking ones, somebody mentioned waterproof hiking trousers. This would mean perp at least tried to match the cloting to the place they were in. Yet on the flip side, he's carrying this weird hokey type duffel bag, cap that seems way too small, scarf or buff, and fingerless gloves which makes him/her stand out as a sore thumb in the park with the temperatures as they are. In other words, it looks like he/she at least tried to blend in and "look the part" (or at least intended to spend some time roaming this environment) but had absolutely no idea how to make the clothing work in practice. Thoughts?

According to an alleged witness, this person stood out to them because they were wearing head to toe cotton. I can’t remember their exact words. So, it might not be proper outdoor wear, but it’s hard to tell from the photo.

 

[CityKid]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>
Can anyone recall a similar case where mom dad 2 children all walking together
And parents stabbed to death allowing children/witnesses to escape?

No, which is why I'm not convinced the children were the target. MOO

 

[Dreamcherry]

I think the person looks feminine if you take the bottom edge of the clothing as a long shirt because then the hips aren't even (weight on one side, hip popped out) which is a very feminine way to stand. If you think it's a jacket or something tied around the waist where it might just be tied unevenly, it's easier to see the person as a man standing on both feet. Either way the head and shoulders look like a man to me.

It's the shoulders that make the figure look female to me. That soft, doughy hunch that women start to get in middle age, the exposed part of the person's back reminded me of that. Other users described it as "chronic screen time hunch" which I can now also totally see, so maybe just your basic doughy nerd. (No shade to any of these types, lol, I am a middle-aged female nerd myself who is getting doughier with age and spends way too much time in front of a screen.)

 

[CityKid]

LE said parents died protecting children
You're thinking from being stabbed to death?

I thought it was the family statement, not LE statement, that said the parents died heroes, protecting their children. This link says
"The Brinks' family members provided a statement to ABC News:

"The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult timme as they grieve and learn how to navigate this new reality. They ask that if anyone has any information at all that will help in the investigation to please contact the proper authorities immediately. Clinton and Cristen died heroes protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live in all of our hearts."

Family remembers Clinton & Cristen Brink

Clinton & Cristen Brink had two girls and had just moved to Prairie Grove from out of state. They were killed at Devil's Den on Saturday.

www.4029tv.com

 

[indicolite22]

seeing some rumors on you tube and fb , re police having IDed the POI as a RSO from nearby ? any confirmation?

Hey @MassGuy *wave*

That was a fake fb news site full of fake news stories. Obviously AI generated, because basic details (like names) were wrong, too.

 

[Herat]

I had written that the couple who made the perp sketch had said he was wearing shorts, but upon re-reading the description they said "dark pants" and I was incorrect.

So I'll be happy to retract my comments about him wearing shorts over his pants.

Still doesn't explain what is causing the extra length seen in the photo. I don't really see a satchel or 3rd bag. I think it's some clothing piece, but not sure what.

 

[Cedars]

IMzo, it looks like he/she at least tried to blend in and "look the part" (or at least intended to spend some time roaming this environment) but had absolutely no idea how to make the clothing work in practice. Thoughts?

Good point. I always feel quite safe in wilderness areas because, normally, other people are only there to enjoy nature and exercise, which are very mentally healthy/non- violent preoccupations.

IMO, this person may have been acting out a violent fantasy, and had no appreciation for where he was. I wonder if the name of the park attracted this individual?

JMO

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

I agree. It looks to me that the striped material is a sweater/light jacket tied around his waste, and that the object I asked about earlier (circled below, with the white tip) is a (metal?) rod of some sort with a ceramic or white plastic tip that sticks out of the sweater’s right pocket. The duffle looks to me to be hanging horizontally from straps on both shoulders, on top of a backpack or water carrier.

View attachment 605004

IMO

If we're seeing the end of the duffel-type bag with the clear ID pocket, and the stripes are on the sides of the bag, then what appears to be something tied around the person's waist is probably just the bottom of the HUGE bag hanging down below waist-level.

That circled silvery object is probably one of the bag's zippers IMO.

 

[Dreamcherry]

What are the odds it was actually someone else if the poi is based only off the couple who identified him as acting sus

I'd also like to know how sure LE is that this is the POI. The sketch and photo could be two different people (like the Delphi sketches that were clearly different people) and neither of them could be the killer, IMO. What exactly did the witnesses see? People who stood out because they were weird, or someone fleeing the actual scene? I assume no one saw the actual perp with blood and/or weapon? This could be a big 'ole wild goose chase.

 

[Herat]

Good point. I always feel quite safe in wilderness areas because, normally, other people are only there to enjoy nature and exercise, which are very mentally healthy/non- violent preoccupations.

IMO, this person may have been acting out a violent fantasy, and had no appreciation for where he was. I wonder if the name of the park attracted this individual?

JMO

I share your observations.

This seems a partially-organized and partially-disorganized attack. The apparent intent does not really match the preparation, although there is considerable apparent preparation, it seems misguided.

I get a checklist kind of feel for the preparations: The large bags, the tape over the license plate, the location. Yet, the clothing choices did not blend in, but actually stood out in the community or people recreating there. A large mistake in interpretation of the situation.

I don't think the perp is familiar with hiking or outdoor activities. He has to filter everything through his perspective, which is more like what you would do for a midnight urban attack in a big city.

 

[marloweclover]

I share your observations.

This seems a partially-organized and partially-disorganized attack. The apparent intent does not really match the preparation, although there is considerable apparent preparation, it seems misguided.

I get a checklist kind of feel for the preparations: The large bags, the tape over the license plate, the location. Yet, the clothing choices did not blend in, but actually stood out in the community or people recreating there. A large mistake in interpretation of the situation.

I don't think the perp is familiar with hiking or outdoor activities. He has to filter everything through his perspective, which is more like what you would do for a midnight urban attack in a big city.

A (possible, unconfirmed) North Face t-shirt because it's an "outdoorsy" brand, but black, long-sleeved cotton to hike on a broiling hot day...

 

[Kalanit]

If we're seeing the end of the duffel-type bag with the clear ID pocket, and the stripes are on the sides of the bag, then what appears to be something tied around the person's waist is probably just the bottom of the HUGE bag hanging down below waist-level.

That circled silvery object is probably one of the bag's zippers IMO.

Yes and the witness certainly described an oversized bag (noticeable).
*my opinion

 

[Frosty Marsupial]

Couple of paradoxes with the clothing. Perp clearly has a lot of hiking/trail gear, The North Face long sleeve, the backpack, the shoes look like proper hiking ones, somebody mentioned waterproof hiking trousers. This would mean perp at least tried to match the cloting to the place they were in. Yet on the flip side, he's carrying this weird hokey type duffel bag, cap that seems way too small, scarf or buff, and fingerless gloves which makes him/her stand out as a sore thumb in the park with the temperatures as they are. In other words, it looks like he/she at least tried to blend in and "look the part" (or at least intended to spend some time roaming this environment) but had absolutely no idea how to make the clothing work in practice. Thoughts?

I wouldn't wear water proof anything in the summer in Arkansas. I actually dont wear Waterproof on winter hikes either. Water proof gets wet and stays wet eventually when hiking. I would rather have wicking fabrics that breath and quick dry vs waterproof anything. Getting hypothermia from being wet is almost non existent this time of year. I can't think of a good reason any seasoned hiker would be wearing water proof anything in summer. Waterproof DOES NOT BREATH.

 

[indicolite22]

I'd also like to know how sure LE is that this is the POI. The sketch and photo could be two different people (like the Delphi sketches that were clearly different people) and neither of them could be the killer, IMO. What exactly did the witnesses see? People who stood out because they were weird, or someone fleeing the actual scene? I assume no one saw the actual perp with blood and/or weapon? This could be a big 'ole wild goose chase.

How many weirdly overdressed for the weather and menacing looking people would be in the park at the same time? Other visitors would be mostly couples, or groups/families. (JMO)

 

[AngTxGal]

According to an alleged witness, this person stood out to them because they were wearing head to toe cotton. I can’t remember their exact words. So, it might not be proper outdoor wear, but it’s hard to tell from the photo.

Yes, I agree he was not wearing proper outdoor gear for hiking in a forested area of Arkansas in the summer. Heat Index is critical- the humidity makes the heat feel hotter
Today at Devil’s Den the high expected to be 99 F but the heat index is 108 F

NorthFace is an outdoor brand- but a black cotton long sleeve t-shirt is more advertisement than high powered outdoor gear.
Those do look like some type of hiking boot- hard to tell.

Cotton doesn’t wick away moisture to allow for cooling, DryFit synthetics breathe
Black clothing absorbs sunlight- when it is hot a hiker wears light colors to reflect sunlight
Forest air can be still- without wind, and so the humid hot air is suffocating
Rocks in the sun give off heat in the afternoon- they are like ovens
Long sleeves and pants- If on a trail it isn’t necessary, short sleeves and short pants are cooler
Gloves? Why?

So no, he isn’t dressed like a seasoned outdoors man for the environment on that day.
That is why he looks so out of place.

Imagine him dressed like that walking down the beach- while people are in swim suits, swimming and sun bathing and surfing. He would look very odd.

IMO

 

[Herat]

Couple of paradoxes with the clothing. Perp clearly has a lot of hiking/trail gear, The North Face long sleeve, the backpack, the shoes look like proper hiking ones, somebody mentioned waterproof hiking trousers. This would mean perp at least tried to match the cloting to the place they were in. Yet on the flip side, he's carrying this weird hokey type duffel bag, cap that seems way too small, scarf or buff, and fingerless gloves which makes him/her stand out as a sore thumb in the park with the temperatures as they are. In other words, it looks like he/she at least tried to blend in and "look the part" (or at least intended to spend some time roaming this environment) but had absolutely no idea how to make the clothing work in practice. Thoughts?

It's surprising that he wasn't wearing some camouflage-type clothing:

It's fashionable, ubiquitous in Arkansas and surroundings, worn by all ages and types including children, babies, men and women of all ages. No one would turn a head to someone wearing some camo clothing. Exceptions would be for all-camo clothing or looking like active military.

What he chose looks like incel goth interpretation of outdoor wear.