Devil’s Den State Park murder suspect Andrew James McGann arrested in Arkansas Lupita’s Beauty Salon

The madman accused of brutally murdering two parents in front of their children in Arkansas’ Devil’s Den State Park “looked soulless” as three detectives arrested him in the middle of a haircut.

Andrew James McGann entered Lupita’s Beauty Salon in Springdale, Arkansas, just before 5 p.m. July 30, five days after the brutal murders of Cristen Amanda Brink and her husband, Clinton David Brink, in the state park.

Hairstylist Adriana Ruiz Avalos was put off by McGann’s presence but still began the haircut, unaware of the high-profile arrest about to take place inside her shop.

“As soon as I saw him, as I was telling him to come into my chair, I had an eerie feeling about him,” Avalos told NewsNation’s “Banfield” Thursday night.

Andrew James McGann is arrested inside Lupita’s Beauty Salon in Springdale, Arkansas, on July 30, 2025. Lupitaâs Beauty Salon and Barber Shop

“He looked soulless,” she claimed. “He didn’t look right.”

The hairdresser says she had never seen McGann before the haircut session and found his hair and scalp in poor condition.

“Very dry and matted,” Avalos characterized McGann’s head.

McGann’s eyes were “very sunken” as he sat in the chair during the haircut.

McGann in a mugshot with the partial haircut he got before his arrest. AP
McGann is being held on two counts of capital murder at the Washington County Jail. AP

The 28-year-old murder suspect allegedly asked Avalos not to cut anything off the top to keep his eyes covered as he had evaded police for nearly a week, the outlet reported.

Law enforcement agents tracked McGann down to the salon, pinpointing him inside because his car, a black 2022 Kia Stinger, was parked outside.

McGann kept his head down and tried not to engage with the plainclothes agents when a detective entered the shop, 35 miles away from Devil’s Den State Park.

McGann sits in the hair salon chair as stylist Adriana Ruiz Avalos prepares to cut the suspected murderer’s hair. Lupitaâs Beauty Salon and Barber Shop
McGann walks around the salon before his arrest on July 30, 2025. Lupitaâs Beauty Salon and Barber Shop

“He really didn’t say anything until they were like, ‘I believe it’s your car,’” Avalos said.

The hairstylist believes McGann wasn’t aware of the situation until it was too late.

McGann was arrested mid-haircut and was handcuffed while still wearing a barber’s cape, according to surveillance video from inside the salon.

Cristen and Clinton Brink were killed while they were with their daughters in Devil’s Den State Park on July 26, 2025. Facebook / Cristen Brink
Cristen Brink and Clinton Brink were murdered at Devil’s Den State Park. Facebook / Clinton Brink

The cape was removed from the suspected killer as he was escorted out of the shop.

McGann is accused of murdering the Brinks while the couple were on a walk in Devil’s Den State Park with their two daughters.

The family of four was allegedly ambushed by a knife-wielding McGann on a remote wilderness trail on July 26.

McGann stands next to his black Kia Stinger outside the Springdale hair salon. Lupitaâs Beauty Salon and Barber Shop
Hairstylist Adriana Ruiz Avalos. Facebook / Adriana Ruiz Avalos

Clinton Brink fended off the attacker as his wife rushed their daughters to safety.

The doting wife returned to help her husband, Arkansas prosecutors and police revealed Thursday.

The couple was found dead in the wilderness and their killer had fled.

Cristen and Clinton Brink were the parents of two children. Facebook / Cristen Brink
Police tape blocks the trailhead to the Devil’s Den trail at Devil’s Den State Park on July 28, 2025. AP

The terrified girls, ages 7 and 9, gave officials a vivid description of the attacker, and a manhunt was launched.

McGann was charged with two counts of capital murder and is being held without bond at the Washington County jail.

He allegedly confessed to the crimes, but is expected to plead not guilty.

The family of four was allegedly ambushed by a knife-wielding McGann on a remote wilderness trail on July 26. Facebook / Clinton Brink

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Prosecutors said McGann — whose DNA matched blood left at the murder scene — could face the death penalty if convicted.

Avalos claims the entire incident took a toll on her and has left her overwhelmed.

“I’m saddened because two little girls lost their parents. And it’s … a soulless act by Andrew. It’s unimaginable,” she said.


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