Authorities are searching for a suspect in a July 26 killing of a married couple in Devil’s Den State Park that left two children orphaned.
Clinton Brink, 43, and Kristen Brink, 41, were hiking with their daughters when the couple was attacked and killed by an unknown suspect, according to an ASP press release. The children, aged 7 and 9, were not harmed and are safe with family members.
Investigators believe the suspect is a white male with a medium build who was wearing a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark ballcap, fingerless gloves and sunglasses at the time of the attack, according to the release. The suspect had a black backpack and his vehicle “may be a Mazda with a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape” and may have been spotted on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the park, the release states.
State police have asked anyone who visited Devil’s Den on July 26 to review any pictures or video footage captured for images of the suspect, and asked residents of the area to notify ASP if they have access to footage captured by security and game cameras. Anyone with images or information about the suspect can call ASP at (479) 751-6663, according to the release.
ASP was notified of the double homicide at 2:40 p.m. on July 26.
Police radio audio obtained by CNN suggests the couple may have been stabbed, but authorities have not said how the couple was killed or released any further information about the suspect.
The victims’ family released a statement to ABC News requesting privacy:
The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult time 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 Kristen died heroes protecting their little girls and they deserve justice. They will forever live on in all of our hearts.
The couple had recently moved to Prairie Grove, a Washington County town southwest of Fayetteville, according to the release. A review of their Facebook activity indicates the couple may have previously lived in California and Montana.
The story has been widely covered across the country, with outlets including The New York Times, The New York Post, the Associated Press, USA Today and more.
Authorities initially reported that the suspect was wearing a tank top, but issued an updated description Sunday after receiving additional information, according to the press release.
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