Satan’s Den homicide suspect James Andrew McGann was North Texas elementary trainer, sources say

DALLAS – The suspect who’s accused of killing a married couple who have been climbing with their youngsters at Satan’s Den State Park in Arkansas was a trainer in Flower Mound, in keeping with an Related Press report.

Satan’s Den Assault

Arkansas State Police say the suspect, 28-year-old Andrew James McGann was arrested on Wednesday, July 30, 4 days after the couple was discovered useless alongside a path on the state park. 

State Police declined to launch a motive Wednesday night time, or state how the couple have been killed. It’s additionally unclear when McGann will first seem in court docket or whether or not he has an lawyer. 

“In case you commit a violent, mindless act right here in our state, our legislation enforcement will hunt you down and convey you to justice, as a result of that’s what the individuals of Arkansas frankly deserve,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders advised reporters.

After police launched a composite sketch of the suspect, police have been overwhelmed with ideas from as far-off as Washington state. 

Sketch of particular person of curiosity in Satan’s Den double murder (Supply: Arkansas State Police)

Arkansas couple killed

What we all know:

Arkansas State Police mentioned in a July 27 information launch {that a} couple was killed at Satan’s Den State Park on Saturday, July 26, whereas they have been climbing with their two daughters. 

The women, who’re 7 and 9, weren’t injured and are protected with relations.

The dad and mom have been recognized as Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41. The household had simply moved to the realm from one other state, police mentioned. 

What they’re saying:

“Arkansas State Police Particular Brokers have arrested James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale. He is been charged with two counts of capital homicide within the deaths of Clinton David Brink and Kristen Amanda Brink. Clinton and Kristen have been killed on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Satan’s Den State Park. The suspect was taken into custody this night at 4:57 PM at a enterprise within the Springdale space,” mentioned Col. Mike Hagar with the Arkansas Division of Public Security.

“So whereas an arrest has been made, we’re refraining from releasing a lot of the data that led to that arrest,” mentioned Arkansas State Police Legal Investigation Division Commander Maj. Stacie Rhoads. “We nonetheless have numerous work to do by way of, , securing a conviction, as a result of that is our subsequent massive focus proper now. However we are going to launch some particulars as they develop into out there that we predict are pertinent. You recognize, the neighborhood deserves to know what occurred and what led to that arrest, and we’ll be completely satisfied to share that when the time is true.”

Individual of curiosity in Satan’s Den double murder (Supply: Arkansas State Police)

Who’s Andrew James McGann? 

What we all know:

Andrew James McGann was arrested at a barbershop in Springdale about 30 miles north of the state park, State Police mentioned at a information convention Wednesday night time. He was charged with two counts of capital homicide and is being held on the Washington County Jail. 

McGann had been employed at Springdale Public Colleges as a trainer candidate for the upcoming 12 months however had not but come into contact with any of its households or college students, the district mentioned in a press release.

McGann was a trainer at a small Oklahoma college district till Might after which resigned to take a job in one other state, in keeping with a press release from Sand Springs Public Colleges, which is close to Tulsa. It added that McGann had handed all background checks.

Andrew McGann’s ties to Texas

Dig deeper:

Based on Texas Training Company data, McGann has a Texas Educator Certificates that was efficient on July 21, 2023, and expires on August 31, 2028.

Information present McGann had a Dallas deal with, and it’s believed he labored on the college in Flower Mound in 2023.

Sierra Marcum advised The Related Press that three years in the past, her son was a pupil in McGann’s fourth grade classroom in Flower Mound, Texas. She described him because the “most standoff trainer she had ever met.” Her son’s yearbook features a picture of McGann.

“Fairly chilly. You would ask him a query, and he would offer you a one-word response,” she mentioned. “General simply fairly disinterested in his college students.”

The place is Satan’s Den State Park?

Massive image view:

Satan’s Den State Park is situated about 25 miles south of Fayetteville, not removed from the Oklahoma state border.

The park is situated in a distant and rural space, the place the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there’s no cellphone service, State Police mentioned.