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

[CityKid]

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

BBM. So I googled park devil's murder and came up with this. Unsolved from October 2020 at Devil's Lake in Wisconsin. I have no idea if there's any connection, but it's certainly curious IMO.

Devil's Lake Homicide - Request for Information | Sauk County Wisconsin Official Website

 

[sunflowermomma]

Is it possible the suspect was caught or seen by the Brinks planting something that was in the big, empty looking duffel bag, and he attacked them to keep them quiet?

 

[Tessa89195]

Just my two cents since there has been a lot of clothing discussion—I hike all the time and have frequented many hiking trails at all sorts of locations. People wear all sorts of things on trails in all sorts of weather. I live in the south and see people hiking in jeans and crocs in warm weather for example. Have also walked by many people smoking cigars while walking down trail. I wouldn’t think twice if I saw him. I don’t think he would stand out any more than other random/not particularly outdoorsy novices who occasionally go out for hikes. I would just think he dressed according to his style and clothes he had on hand.

Good points, I agree. Far more important to me would be his demeanor, his lack of eye contact, the way he interacted or didn't interact with fellow hikers.

 

[Frosty Marsupial]

Just my two cents since there has been a lot of clothing discussion—I hike all the time and have frequented many hiking trails at all sorts of locations. People wear all sorts of things on trails in all sorts of weather. I live in the south and see people hiking in jeans and crocs in warm weather for example. Have also walked by many people smoking cigars while walking down trail. I wouldn’t think twice if I saw him. I don’t think he would stand out any more than other random/not particularly outdoorsy novices who occasionally go out for hikes. I would just think he dressed according to his style and clothes he had on hand.

It speaks to the suspects familiarity to the environment of his crime. He is wearing novice gear. He was not well equipped in terms of attire for the environment that they committed the crime in. Why not??

 

[Cedars]

I was wondering about the screams heard by the officers, if the crime happened then were the screams coming from witnesses? Did the officers find the bodies by following the screams or by following directions given by girls? There seems to be quite a bit of info the officers are keeping close to the vest, and wisely so, but ya I feel like we are missing a pretty big piece of information. Of course we all know this is standard procedure. I can't help but wonder about the screams tho, did someone walk up on the victims already deceased or did someone witness the assault?

My understanding is it took quite a long time - up to an hour? - for LE to get there, because it's so far from their normal patrol areas.

 

[SMK777]

BBM
exactly! this didn't happen in a private home, this is somewhere that other children and families frequent. why would they not announce that the area is closed off? videos/tv can reach a wider audience than just tweeting or posting on a facebook page. even if this ends up being a personal and targeted attack, it still serves the public interest as it happened in a public place.

maybe one will be coming...

MOO

I sure hope so.

 

[Cedars]

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

IMO it is probably being investigated by the FBI, and they don't normally hold press conferences.

AK police wouldn't want to give anything away because FBI says no. If they give a press conference they will have to answer tons of media questions (and the national media will descend on AK).

JMO

 

[Inthedetails]

Just my two cents since there has been a lot of clothing discussion—I hike all the time and have frequented many hiking trails at all sorts of locations. People wear all sorts of things on trails in all sorts of weather. I live in the south and see people hiking in jeans and crocs in warm weather for example. Have also walked by many people smoking cigars while walking down trail. I wouldn’t think twice if I saw him. I don’t think he would stand out any more than other random/not particularly outdoorsy novices who occasionally go out for hikes. I would just think he dressed according to his style and clothes he had on hand.

Yet, he did stand out. So much so that four people recalled them the next day when they heard about the murder. When they saw him on the trail, they all looked at each other in disbelief, like, "what's with that guy?"

jmopinion

 

[Inthedetails]

IMO it is probably being investigated by the FBI, and they don't normally hold press conferences.

AK police wouldn't want to give anything away because FBI says no. If they give a press conference they will have to answer tons of media questions (and the national media will descend on AK).

JMO

Very good point about the FBI. I think you're right.

However, with NO info from law enforcement, rumors and speculations fly. Fortunately, people don't seem to be pointing fingers to random people like how sometimes happens. Let's hope it stays that way.

jmopinion

 

[Diddian]

The local Northwest Arkansas YouTuber was on News Nation, they think he is a reliable source.
It includes what could be security footage of what could be the car, from a local home.
Solid description of the car from a ‘car guy’.

Mazda 3 sedan? Looks like it to me
Someone on the YouTuber chat suggested a Kia Stinger

Good for him, he has done a good job!
IMO

The video linked in your post mentions that the victim family had their dog with them on the trail. I wonder if the family's dog was interfering with something that the perpetrator had left hidden somewhere, sniffing it out or otherwise bothering it.

Suppose for example that the perpetrator was using the backpack and duffle to drop off something illicit (drugs, guns, CSAM...?) for someone and picking up payment, or dropping off payment and picking up something illicit in exchange, or dropping something off and payment was done in some other way. And the dog went off trail after whatever was hidden and was taking it to Clinton Brink... and that is why the perpetrator went after CB.

ETA: This might explain why some witnesses who saw the man with the bags say the bags appeared full, while others (including the person who took the photograph now circulating) saw the bags empty.

 

[RedHaus]

I’m not convinced they got the car description correct. I read a lot of the Arkansas police Facebook post comments.

I agree.

My idea of a Mazda Miata is old news.

I think at best we're looking for a black sports sedan. Not a sedan, not a sports car, a sports sedan. A Mazda3 Sedan might meet that criteria, as said ^. At worst, we the public have no idea.

 

[Herat]

I found a Youtube video about hiking in Devils Den State park that includes some portion of the Devil's Den hike.

A family of 4 is doing this hike in late autumn, with all the leaves off of the trees. They are extolling it as a very family-friendly hike. The first part is fairly flat through leafless tree forests and quite open. The section of the Devil's Den trail shows a lot of the characteristic shale-like or limestone rocky formations that appear riddled with cracks, faults, clefts and some caves. These would appear to include the Devil's Den and the Devil's Icebox niches or cave areas. At the time of that hike they were closed by metal gates. The video doesn't include a trail map with these points on it, so I have no idea how far along they are in relationship to the crime scene.

I occurred to me that the rocky area had lots of places slightly off the main trail where one could easily change clothing or stuff a bag without being visible to anyone then return to the trail.

Google Search

 

[SMK777]

IMO it is probably being investigated by the FBI, and they don't normally hold press conferences.

AK police wouldn't want to give anything away because FBI says no. If they give a press conference they will have to answer tons of media questions (and the national media will descend on AK).

JMO

True. And yet they surely put out an all points bulletin on him and his vehicle and people should be looking in other states. He had a 6 hour head start and after murdering 2 people in a public place, he surely left the state of Arkansas. Its been over 4 days and he could be in Florida or any number of areas at this point in time.

 

[Frosty Marsupial]

The video linked in your post mentions that the victim family had their dog with them on the trail. I wonder if the family's dog was interfering with something that the perpetrator had left hidden somewhere, sniffing it out or otherwise bothering it.

Suppose for example that the perpetrator was using the backpack and duffle to drop off something illicit (drugs, guns, CSAM...?) for someone and picking up payment, or dropping off payment and picking up something illicit in exchange, or dropping something off and payment was done in some other way. And the dog went off trail after whatever was hidden and was taking it to Clinton Brink... and that is why the perpetrator went after CB.

ETA: This might explain why some witnesses who saw the man with the bags say the bags appeared full, while others (including the person who took the photograph now circulating) saw the bags empty.

On the illicit drop. Wouldn't you make an illicit drop somewhere there would not be park rangers? There are so many backcountry trail access points where parks rangers would not always be in Arkansas. Why pick a location where there would most likely be park rangers for an illicit drop?

The Ozark Highlands Trail is in the same general location essentially. Dockery's Gap access point is only a short distance further east than Devil's Den is west from I-49. Why go to a heavily frequented park for and hike in for an illicit drop? I would think a quick hike in at Dockery's Gap or any other of the other OHT trail access points would be better suited for an illicit drop in NWA and less likely to be interrupted by anyone.

IMO

 

[Herat]

On the illicit drop. Wouldn't you make an illicit drop somewhere there would not be park rangers? There are so many backcountry trail access points where parks rangers would not always be in Arkansas. Why pick a location where there would most likely be park rangers for an illicit drop?

Yeah. There would be so many other places down forgotten dirt roads where drops would be far less complicated. This theory just doesn't make sense to do it in a popular state park on a summer weekend when the maximum number of people would be there during a week's time.

 

[SMK777]

On the illicit drop. Wouldn't you make an illicit drop somewhere there would not be park rangers? There are so many backcountry trail access points where parks rangers would not always be in Arkansas. Why pick a location where there would most likely be park rangers for an illicit drop?

True as far as it goes. But he did commit double homicide in such an area. The fact that the mom yelled, Why are you doing this? makes you wonder.

 

[RedHaus]

Is it possible the suspect was caught or seen by the Brinks planting something that was in the big, empty looking duffel bag, and he attacked them to keep them quiet?

Right.

I opined ^^ whether in that large duffle bag held vertically by the alleged perp, was a long gun or crossbow. Could that explain a heavy bag that appears empty?

What if the Brinks came across the perp setting up a sniper position, and the heros they are tried to intercede?

I wonder if LE found contents of that bag or the bag itself, near the bodies?

 

[Inthedetails]

True. And yet they surely put out an all points bulletin on him and his vehicle and people should be looking in other states. He had a 6 hour head start and after murdering 2 people in a public place, he surely left the state of Arkansas. Its been over 4 days and he could be in Florida or any number of areas at this point in time.

I think he's a home, not far from the park.

jmopinion

 

[muddlehead]

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

You're right - family statement not LE
Apologies

 

[Inthedetails]

Right. I opined ^^ whether in that large duffle bag held vertically by the alleged perp, was a long gun or crossbow. Could that explain a heavy bag that appears empty?

What if the Brinks came across the perp setting up a sniper position. And the heros they are tried to intercede?

I wonder if LE found contents of that bag or the bag itself, near the bodies?

I think that is a viable idea, that he wanted to play sniper. But then why knife the husband and wife instead of shoot them?

jmopinion