NEW information has surfaced about the man accused of stabbing a couple to death in front of their daughters in an Arkansas state park.
Suspect Andrew James McGann, 28, is an elementary school teacher who has spent the last few years moving between schools due to disturbing allegations about his creepy behavior.
McGann was scheduled to begin teaching third grade next week, but he is now in prison after allegedly murdering Clinton Brink and his wife, Cristen Brink, while their two daughters, ages 7 and 9, fled to safety.
After a five-day manhunt, McGann was apprehended mid-haircut at a salon on Thursday and confessed to cops that he killed the Brinks in Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas on Saturday, police said.
Clinton was stabbed first, and Cristen got her daughters to safety before returning to help her husband and being stabbed to death, Arkansas State Police said at a press conference on Thursday.
Chilling audio captured the moment police discovered the parents’ bodies after the girls fled to a nearby visitor center for assistance.
McGann’s DNA matched that of the horrific scene in the park, according to police.
Police believe McGann, who has no criminal history, acted alone and that the attack was random because he did not know the Brinks.
Investigators are still working to determine a motive.
TEACHING HISTORY
McGann had recently moved to the area after being hired as a “teacher candidate” for the upcoming school year, according to a statement from Springdale Public Schools to The Sun.
“This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve,” the school claimed.
While he hadn’t yet met his prospective Arkansas students, McGann had previously been disciplined for inappropriate contact during his first year of teaching.
After receiving his elementary education degree from Oklahoma State University in May 2022, he relocated to Flower Mound, Texas, to teach fourth-grade math at Donald Elementary School.
“The individual was placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023 following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism,” the school district, Lewisville ISD, said in a statement shared with The Sun.
“An internal investigation revealed no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. The teacher resigned from the district in May 2023.
‘PRETTY DISINTERESTED’
Sierra Marcum, the mother of one of McGann’s former Donald Elementary students, told the Associated Press that the teacher was the “most standoffish teacher she had ever met.”
“It’s pretty cold. “You could ask him a question and he would give you a one-word answer,” Marcum told the outlet.
“Overall just pretty disinterested in his students.”
Statements by the suspect’s previous employers
Before being arrested and charged with two counts of murder, Andrew James McGann was an elementary school teacher. The following are statements from some of the schools where he was hired:
Lewisville ISD
Lewisville ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a former teacher who worked at Donald Elementary during the 2022-2023 school year. The individual was placed on administrative leave in spring 2023 due to concerns about classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism. An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior among students. The teacher resigned from the district in May 2023.
Our hearts go out to the victims and everyone affected by this tragic situation. Our students’ safety and well-being remain our top priority, and we are dedicated to supporting our school community during this time.
As this is an ongoing law enforcement investigation, any additional questions should be directed to the investigating agency.
Broken Arrow Public School
The man arrested in Arkansas for the murders at Devil’s Den State Park was a teacher for Broken Arrow Public Schools during the 23/24 academic year. He was a fifth-grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary during the 23/24 school year and left on his own to work out of state.
Prior to his hiring, he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks, as are all district employees. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family affected by this unimaginable act of violence.
Sand Springs Public Schools
Sand Springs Public Schools is aware of a recent arrest of a former employee. Andrew McGann worked at Sand Springs Public Schools from the summer of 2024 to May 2025. McGann resigned his position at the end of the 2024-25 school year in order to relocate to another state.
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. When an employee is hired, they must undergo a district-mandated background check. The Oklahoma State Department of Education also conducts background checks on each teacher. McGann passed every background check.
While SSPS has not yet been contacted by authorities about this matter, the district has and will continue to comply with law enforcement requests during any investigation.
Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones who have suffered this tragic loss.
Springdale Public Schools
Springdale Public Schools can confirm that Andrew McGann, a teacher candidate hired for the upcoming school year, has not yet begun working for the district. This individual has had no contact with Springdale students or the families we serve.
Due to the ongoing investigation, we are currently unable to provide any additional information. Additional information will be provided when it is appropriate. Our entire team sends heartfelt condolences to the Brink family. We are especially thinking of and praying for their children.
Marcum claimed that her son noticed inappropriate behavior from him toward young girls in his class, but the school district declined to comment on the allegations.
After leaving Texas, McGann returned to Oklahoma, where he taught fifth-grade science and social studies for Broken Arrow Public Schools during the 2023-2024 school year.
“As with all employees hired by the district, he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired,” Broken Arrow Public Schools said in an email to The Sun.
According to the district, he told them he was leaving to work out of state, but instead accepted a position at a small nearby district in the Tulsa area.
However, he remained in Oklahoma and taught at Sand Springs Public Schools, near Tulsa, from summer 2024 to May of this year.
He passed all background checks for the job, according to a statement from the district. He resigned to accept a position in another state.
McGann had not yet begun working for Springdale Public Schools in Arkansas, according to the district.
Murder Timeline
Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 43, were killed while hiking in Devil’s Den State Park with their daughters. The case’s timeline is provided below:
July 16 – The Brink family has their water service turned on after recently moving to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, according to Mayor David Falk.
July 27 – Clinton and Cristen are found dead on Devil’s Den trail at around 2:30 pm after their two daughters ran to the visitor’s center and said their parents were attacked.
July 27 – Police release the identities of the slain couple. Cops ask park visitors to check their pictures and footage from Saturday for possible images of the suspect.
July 28 – Arkansas State Police releases a sketch of a person of interest in the case.
July 29 – ASP releases a picture from a witness of the person of interest in the case.
July 30 – Andrew James McGann is arrested mid-haircut at Lupita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop just before 5 pm.
On Wednesday evening, he was arrested while getting a haircut at Lupita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop, which is just about a 30-minute drive from where he allegedly slaughtered the Brinks.
Surveillance footage from the salon showed cops taking the barber cape off McGann before putting him in handcuffs.
FAMILY TRAGEDY
The Brinks had recently moved from South Dakota to Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas.
Prairie Grove Mayor David Faulk said the family’s water was connected just two weeks ago.
Clinton Brink, 43, was set to start working as a milk delivery driver on Monday, according to his employer. Cristen Brink, 41, was a licensed nurse in South Dakota prior to the move.
The family stated that Clinton and Cristen, who had three daughters together, died as “heroes protecting their little girls.”
The two young daughters were unhurt and are now safe with their family.
McGann is charged with two counts of capital murder and could face the death penalty for the crime.
He is expected to appear in court on Friday.
