In a media briefing Thursday afternoon members of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) and Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s office stated that the suspect of the killings Saturday at Devil’s Den State Park had admitted to the crimes and that DNA evidence linked him to the scene.
28-year-old Andrew McGann is accused of the murder of Clinton and Cristen Bink of Prairie Grove who were attacked while hiking with their two daughters. He is facing two counts of capital murder.
Members of law enforcement stated in the press conference that the investigation had linked blood at the scene of the crime to that of McGann after DNA testing. After speaking with investigators the teacher, who was to begin a new job in Springdale this fall, had admitted to the crimes.
Investigators stated that the father was killed first and that the mother was attacked second while trying to get her children to safety. Details into the attack showed that the parents did everything in their power to protect their children and sacrificed their lives ultimately to do so. The children then travelled approximately half a mile out of the trail area at the park to seek help. Witnesses and videos from over 10 businesses outside the park led to the composite sketch and Kia vehicle owned by McGann. Injuries sustained by the suspect led to the collection of blood samples for DNA analysis.
When asked what the cause was for the crimes, law enforcement stated they believed the killings to be random and that no connection was made between the suspect and the victims. McGann, who was arrested at a barber shop in Springdale Wednesday evening, showed no indication to be trying to flee the area or to be actively disguising himself or his vehicle. When the arrest occurred blood was found in his vehicle. A search warrant was issued for his residence in Springdale and investigators stated that evidence collected further tied McGann to the crimes.
McGann remains in custody in the Washington County Jail and no bond has been set.