Arkansas Couple Killed While Protecting Two Daughters

On July 26, Clinton David Brink (43) and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink (41), were hiking in Devil’s Den State Park in northwest Arkansas with their two young daughters.

Authorities say the couple was brutally attacked on a remote, cell-phone‑dead trail. Despite being with their children, both parents lost their lives while shielding their daughters, aged 7 and 9, who walked away unhurt and are now safe with their families.

A Remote Scene, A Hidden Threat to the Couple

Devil’s Den State Park is known for rugged terrain and thick vegetation—and that isolation may have contributed to both the attack and its concealment. Cell service is nearly non-existent in the area, slowing communication and delaying public alerts. Search teams arrived after multiple hours of field interviews, inspections, and confirmation of the victims’ identities.

A Couple Remembered as Heroes

The Brink family released a heartfelt statement: “Clinton and Cristen died heroes protecting their little girls and they deserve justice.” After moving from South Dakota earlier this month to begin a new chapter in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, both worked in healthcare—Clinton as a milk delivery driver and Cristen as a nurse. Friends and neighbors remember them as generous, warm, and deeply involved in their community.

Suspect Description Released

Arkansas State Police are urging the public to help identify a male suspect seen near the trail. Described as white, medium-build, wearing dark clothing, a ball cap, sunglasses, and fingerless gloves, he was last seen carrying a black backpack near a black four-door sedan—possibly a Mazda with a taped-over license plate. Authorities also noted the person might have sustained an injury during the attack.

A composite sketch was released to assist with identification, and the FBI has joined Arkansas-led efforts. Officials are taking tips from anyone who visited the park or lives nearby—and ask that footage not be shared on social media, which could interfere with the ongoing investigation.

Search and Safety Measures Elevated

All hiking trails in the park have been temporarily closed as the investigation continues. Law enforcement presence in nearby state parks has increased. The governor pledged full support and assured that authorities “will not rest until the perpetrator is brought to justice.”

Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage, personal camera submissions, and local records. They believe delays in public notice were due to communication challenges in the park and the careful effort to confirm facts before alerting the public.

What Makes This So Painful

This is not just another hiking tragedy—it’s a case of parents and a couple sacrificing themselves in full view of violence while protecting the innocence of their children. The fact that the daughters were unharmed only deepens the cruelty—and the courage—of the act.

It also raises questions about safety in isolated outdoor areas and how quickly violence can strike unsuspecting visitors. The Brinks had recently uprooted their lives to start fresh in Arkansas. Instead, they were torn away in a violent instant.

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