The search for the person who killed a married couple at an Arkansas state park continued Monday as their family remembered them as “loving” and “devoted parents.”
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were hiking with their two daughters, 9 and 7, at Devil’s Den State Park when they were attacked Saturday afternoon, Arkansas State Police said. The girls were not injured and are safe with relatives, officials said.
The couple had recently moved to Prairie Grove from out of state, state police said. Katrina Hutchins, Clinton Brink’s sister, said they moved to the state about three weeks ago.
She said the family was asking anyone with information to come forward and share it with police.
The family asked for privacy in a statement released by the state police "as they grieve and learn how to navigate this new reality."
“Clinton and Cristen died heroes, protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live on in all of our hearts,” the family said.
The couple previously lived in California and eastern Montana, according to their Facebook pages. Public records showed they previously lived in Miles City, Montana.
Authorities were alerted about a double homicide in the park, about 12 miles east of Prairie Grove, around 2:40 p.m. Saturday. The couple's bodies were found on a walking trail.
The area they were found in was described as remote and rural, with rugged terrain, thick vegetation and no cellphone service. It remained cordoned off and secured by police.
The condition of their bodies was not disclosed. The state crime lab will confirm the manner and cause of death, state police said.
The killer has been described as a white male with a medium build, who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt with his sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark ball cap and sunglasses. He also had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves.
He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan that may have been a Mazda, with a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape. The vehicle may have been traveling on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the park, state police said.
Authorities said he may have been injured in the attack, and released a sketch of a possible person of interest Monday night.
Authorities were asking anyone who visited the park Saturday to check cellphone photos and videos or GoPro camera video for images of the person, as well as residents in the area to notify police if they have access to security and game camera video.
The park’s website said all trails at Devil’s Den State Park were closed until further notice.
Anyone with photos or information about the person believed to be the killer or his whereabouts should contact ASP Troop L at (479) 751-6663.
