LISTEN: Radio captures moment bodies found at Devil’s Den

Watch KNWA/FOX24’s coverage and listen to the radio recordings in the video player above.

WEST FORK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — “I’ve got two bodies down here.” — Police scanners caught the moment an officer reported the discovery deep along a trail at Devil’s Den State Park on July 26.

Moments later, authorities would confirm that a man and woman had been killed

while hiking with their two young daughters, who were found physically unharmed.

The victims were later identified as Clinton and Cristen Brink of Prairie Grove. Investigators are treating the case as a double homicide.

Radio transcript

The following segments were taken from broadcasts between 2 p.m and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. Listen to the recordings in the video player at the top of the screen.

Trooper 1: “Do we need to cover the lower trails or just stay on the main trail?”

Trooper 2: “Cover the main trail first.”

Trooper 1: “Oh, help.”

Trooper 2: “Sweep the main trail first right now.”

Trooper 1: “Main trail… I saw hiking down… I’m asking for help…”

Trooper 2: “Say that again, repeat.

Trooper 1: “I hear yells calling for help, we’re walking down…”

Trooper 2: “Try to relay to the office that we found the victims down here. There are on the lower Devil’s Den Trail… I think I see you right there. I’ve got two bodies down here.”

Suspect remains at large

Law enforcement is continuing the search for a suspect described as a white male of medium build.

• He was last seen wearing dark pants, a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a dark ballcap, sunglasses, fingerless gloves and carrying a black backpack.
• The suspect was reportedly driving a black four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda, with the license plate obscured by electrical or duct tape.
• The vehicle was seen heading toward a park exit and may have traveled on State Highways 170 or 220.

Authorities are asking park visitors to review any cellphone, GoPro or camera footage from Saturday for possible images of the suspect. Residents near the park are also urged to check home security or game camera footage.

Anyone with information should contact Arkansas State Police Troop L at (479) 751-6663.

Authorities, locals react

Devil’s Den State Park remains partially closed as of July 27, with the area where the attack happened still secured by law enforcement. Authorities said the park’s rugged terrain, thick vegetation and lack of cell service have complicated the search efforts.

The park’s rugged terrain, thick vegetation and lack of cell service have complicated the search efforts, authorities said.

Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis said the agency is working closely with ASP and has increased law enforcement presence in state parks.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called the Devil’s Den homicides “horrific” in a July 26 statement.

Nestled in the Ozarks, Devil’s Den State Park is home to a few of the most popular trails in the state.

“It’s kind of crazy, they are saying it’s a random act,” Tyler Yeakley, a local who frequents the park told KNWA/FOX24. “It definitely makes you think, you never know, the craziest thing can happen out of nowhere. Especially in Arkansas.”