Authorities in Arkansas are continuing a statewide manhunt for a suspect who murdered a married couple in front of their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park on Friday, while also facing public scrutiny over a six-hour delay in alerting the public, as reported by The New York Post.

Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were killed during a family outing at the remote park located in the Ozark National Forest, about 30 miles south of Fayetteville.

Their daughters, ages 7 and 9, were found physically unharmed near the scene of the attack, according to law enforcement.

The initial 911 call reporting a possible assault at the state park came in around 2:30 p.m., with first responders reporting screams in the area, according to 5News. Law enforcement later located the family, but the parents were already deceased by the time officers arrived.

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Despite the serious nature of the incident and a suspect being at large, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) did not issue a public alert until 8:40 p.m., nearly six hours after the first emergency call. According to ASP, the delay was due to several logistical challenges at the scene.

“The location is in remote, rural Arkansas,” an ASP spokesperson told 5News. “It took time for our special agents to arrive on scene, locate witnesses, conduct interviews, and collaborate information so we released the appropriate information.”

The spokesperson cited rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and a lack of cell phone service as contributing factors to the delay.

Reporters arriving at the scene around 4:30 p.m. noted a heavy law enforcement presence, but were told to leave and were not given any official details at that time.

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On Sunday, police released an updated suspect description. The man was last seen wearing a rolled-up long-sleeve shirt, dark pants, a red baseball cap, sunglasses, and fingerless gloves.

He was carrying a backpack and was seen entering the park in a black four-door sedan—possibly a Mazda—with the license plate concealed using tape.

In response to the murders, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis issued a statement confirming increased law enforcement activity across all state parks.

“Our Park Rangers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers, and they are actively engaged in ensuring the safety and security of our park guests,” Lewis said.

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“We remain committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and to maintaining Arkansas State Parks as safe, welcoming places for all.”

Devil’s Den State Park is a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts, known for its trails, caves, and scenic views. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the suspect to contact law enforcement immediately.

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