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

[Frosty Marsupial]

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)

Weirdly overdressed people most likely there was only the one in the park.

FWIW. I solo backpack in the same areas. I ofter run into other solo backpackers. Solo backpacking is alot more common than people think. People hiking solo is common. People dressed like the suspect are not.

IMO

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

I've outlined the bag as I see it. Red is the end of the bag, yellow is the bottom, blue is the top, and green is the sides.

For anyone trying to identify the brand of the bag, the stripes initially appeared to be diagonal but I actually think they're running parallel with the top and bottom of the bag. The bag appears to have folded in the mddle and is collapsing in on itself, so the stripes are twisted.

 

[Dreamcherry]

I would agree, except that he got away - not just obscuring his license plate, but also not being a regular, recognized visitor at the park, slipping out and driving off without being seen, not attracting attention for several days now ... to me that seems like someone who is in his right mind.

JMO

Mental instability doesn't always prevent someone from planning a complex act. People often seem to think it impairs your thinking, like being drunk or high, but it's more along the lines of changing your perception of reality. Look at James Holmes, the Aurora Theatre shooter, who was experiencing severe psychosis. It was a thoroughly planned attack. He even booby trapped his apartment because he anticipated that the police would figure out who he was and go over there (luckily he told them about the traps when he was apprehended and they sent a bomb squad.) They can think ahead and plan accordingly, but it's in the pursuit of something that's only rational to them.

 

[Judy Sleuth]

I've outlined the bag as I see it. Red is the end of the bag, yellow is the bottom, blue is the top, and green is the sides.

For anyone trying to identify the brand of the bag, the stripes initially appeared to be diagonal but I actually think they're running parallel with the top and bottom of the bag. The bag appears to have folded in the mddle and is collapsing in on itself, so the stripes are twisted.

View attachment 605032

I agree. I see it as what you've outline yellow is the "far half" of the bag's bottom, with the rest of the bottom collapsed in our view underneath your red. The red to me is the near end of the bag. The two greens are parts of the sides visible to us, and the blue is part of the top of the bag, flopped over toward us, while the other part of the bag's top is out of view, against the person's back.

 

[Tessa89195]

This keeps getting worse. Two daughters were with the couple?! Thank goodness they are safe but the trauma they experienced? Unimaginable.

I'm wondering if there's a chance the killer knew one of the victims? Followed them there? Or was it completely random. Both scenarios are horribly frightening.

So very sad for this family who were just out hiking in a beautiful state park. I hope this killer is caught asap. MOO

Hi TexLil,
I was wondering the same thing actually. I was wondering if anyone knows where they had moved from? If the couple had relocated to "start over" possibly, or if anyone knows a bit more about whether the 2 children were the biological children of both victims. I am relieved that both children are safe and physically unharmed, but I would be less than truthful if I didn't admit that the fact they were not killed as well does in fact become evidence itself, whether inadvertently or not. Does anyone know if the children ran away or hid maybe? This is just so horrible and so life changing for these children, it takes someone with rage to pull this off. I hope that the guilty party(s) apprehended asap.

 

[Possum_AR]

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 ma

n (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. Eit

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

For the longest time I thought he had a jacket tied around his waist, but what you're seeing is the bottom of a VERY large hockey duffle bag. Athletico brand to be exact. Here's a picture so you can see how big it is.

He has one strap going over his left shoulder and the other over his right shoulder. The mesh part would be against his back. You can see the strips on the left and right side of the bag carried by the suspect, The athletico bag has strips on opposing corners.

The size of this bag makes the suspect appear much smaller than he is. It's also doing some weird things to the perception of his stance I think, making his legs appear short and at an odd angle, when in reality he's standing fairly normal for a man.

Just my opinion

 

[Possum_AR]

I've outlined the bag as I see it. Red is the end of the bag, yellow is the bottom, blue is the top, and green is the sides.

For anyone trying to identify the brand of the bag, the stripes initially appeared to be diagonal but I actually think they're running parallel with the top and bottom of the bag. The bag appears to have folded in the mddle and is collapsing in on itself, so the stripes are twisted.

View attachment 605032

Exactly

 

[na19]

I wonder how many people were at the park during that time on July 26th? I live in AR and would never go hiking or even on a walk in my neighborhood in the afternoon in the summer, but I'm also not very "outdoorsy."

Not blaming the Brinks at all, I'm sure they thought this would be a fun outing, getting to know their new state that they live in. I'm just curious how many people would be on the trails at this time because I would not think it would be very many. So this guy would stick out even more to those on the trail.

 

[Frosty Marsupial]

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

I totally agree about the clothing. It looks the suspect is on their first hike and they did not do much research before setting out for a hike.

 

[Inthedetails]

I've outlined the bag as I see it. Red is the end of the bag, yellow is the bottom, blue is the top, and green is the sides.

For anyone trying to identify the brand of the bag, the stripes initially appeared to be diagonal but I actually think they're running parallel with the top and bottom of the bag. The bag appears to have folded in the mddle and is collapsing in on itself, so the stripes are twisted.

View attachment 605032

Why in the world would he carry that bag except to put a kid in it? Of course, I wouldn't think that if I saw him on the trail. I would just think, "Odd choice, man," and go on with my day.

But he killed the parents of two kids and then left in a car, after walking around a family-friendly park with a big bag on his back.

What other purpose than abduction would that huge bag serve? He wouldn't need a giant bag just to put a change of clothes in or even to carry supplies like knife, rope, tarp.

Serious question, btw.

jmopinion

 

[Herat]

I've outlined the bag as I see it. Red is the end of the bag, yellow is the bottom, blue is the top, and green is the sides.

For anyone trying to identify the brand of the bag, the stripes initially appeared to be diagonal but I actually think they're running parallel with the top and bottom of the bag. The bag appears to have folded in the mddle and is collapsing in on itself, so the stripes are twisted.

View attachment 605032

OK now it makes sense.

Thanks so much for his. It does certainly all appear to be a very oversized bag, with markings and construction very very similar to the $79.99 Athletico Hockey Duffel.

 

[Cedars]

Edited: okay, I think I see it now, huge empty quashed duffle

 

[MesquiteO21]

for people who are maybe more familiar and/or have experience with LE operations -- why do you suppose there hasn't been a presser yet? i'm just not familiar with how they decide to have one or not. is it a sign of not much information at all? or a sign that they are very close to an arrest?

but they've put out information regarding the suspect, telling people not to post potentially relevant videos/photos on social media, the area has been closed, etc. that's info they could've had someone stand at a podium before the press and talk about. they could also refuse to take any questions. i just don't understand the thinking behind not doing this? maybe i'm missing something

MOO

 

[Inthedetails]

I wonder how many people were at the park during that time on July 26th? I live in AR and would never go hiking or even on a walk in my neighborhood in the afternoon in the summer, but I'm also not very "outdoorsy."

Not blaming the Brinks at all, I'm sure they thought this would be a fun outing, getting to know their new state that they live in. I'm just curious how many people would be on the trails at this time because I would not think it would be very many. So this guy would stick out even more to those on the trail.

The couple that was interviewed said there were many people on the trails that day. imo

FWIW, I can see my husband and myself doing this. The Brinks didn't know anyone in the area, the kids were not yet involved with activities. Visiting a state park is a fun activity for all ages, and it's inexpensive. They just moved and this would be a fun outing for everyone to get to know the area before Dad started work on Monday. The terrain is different than where they previously lived so it would be exciting too.

For all we know, they entered the park in the morning when it was cooler and were ending their outing when attacked.

It doesn't seem out of the ordinary to me (and I hate hot weather, but I would do this with family).

jmopinon

 

[Kalanit]

I've outlined the bag as I see it. Red is the end of the bag, yellow is the bottom, blue is the top, and green is the sides.

For anyone trying to identify the brand of the bag, the stripes initially appeared to be diagonal but I actually think they're running parallel with the top and bottom of the bag. The bag appears to have folded in the mddle and is collapsing in on itself, so the stripes are twisted.

View attachment 605032

Thanks so much for doing this. I don't have the graphics skills to convey what's in my head but it's exactly how I I have been seeing it from the start!

 

[StarryStarryNight]

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

You have described this perfectly I think.
He wanted to appear to belong there so he looked it up and dressed as a stereotypical hiker from Maine in late September. He got it wrong for Arkansas in July.
All his stuff looks brand new too.
I wonder if his license plate was covered with tape to hide that it was from another state.

 

[Inthedetails]

for people who are maybe more familiar and/or have experience with LE operations -- why do you suppose there hasn't been a presser yet? i'm just not familiar with how they decide to have one or not. is it a sign of not much information at all? or a sign that they are very close to an arrest?

but they've put out information regarding the suspect, telling people not to post potentially relevant videos/photos on social media, the area has been closed, etc. that's info they could've had someone stand at a podium before the press and talk about. they could also refuse to take any questions. i just don't understand the thinking behind not doing this? maybe i'm missing something

MOO

I am HOPING it's because they have solid leads without the public.

But, other than that, I find it strange.

jmopinion.

 

[SMK777]

for people who are maybe more familiar and/or have experience with LE operations -- why do you suppose there hasn't been a presser yet? i'm just not familiar with how they decide to have one or not. is it a sign of not much information at all? or a sign that they are very close to an arrest?

but they've put out information regarding the suspect, telling people not to post potentially relevant videos/photos on social media, the area has been closed, etc. that's info they could've had someone stand at a podium before the press and talk about. they could also refuse to take any questions. i just don't understand the thinking behind not doing this? maybe i'm missing something

MOO

I'm also surprised that no press conference has been mentioned in an active case of this notoriety involving double murders in a public place where families go.

I guess it would be too optimistic to think it may be because they're closing in on him. Which they'd actually better do soon before he's permanently under the radar.

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

The bag is so twisted that I'm really struggling to tell if the stripes are diagonal or parallel.

At first I thought diagonal. Then parallel. Now, looking at the Athletico bag, I'm unsure again. The Athletico bag looks REALLY close to being the correct one.

 

[marloweclover]

Carrying a bag that big makes me wonder... just my speculation but either it a) had some particular property he perceived to be useful -- size? waterproofing? or b) he needed *any* duffle bag for some reason. Smaller would have worked, but that was what he had, and he didn't want to or couldn't buy a smaller one.