‘He loved her so much he couldn’t put it into words’: Funeral held for slain Arkansas parents

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Funeral services were held in Bakersfield Monday for Cristen and Clinton Brink, the couple murdered while hiking with their children in Arkansas back in July.

More than 200 people came to Grace Baptist Church to mourn the loss of Cristen and Clinton Brink, the couple that were killed in Arkansas protecting their two daughters.

“Last month, he put his words into action on a hike….and he’s my hero,” said a pastor at the church, speaking for Cristen’s father.

The entire service lasted over two hours…songs were sung, friends and family shared memories, and the Brinks were laid to rest.

41-year-old Cristen Brink was a registered nurse, who had two degrees; one in nursing and the other in mathematics. 43-year-old Clinton, originally working in the oil fields, became a Certified Nursing Assistant.

“He’d tell me that he loved her so much he couldn’t put it into words. And he did everything he could to make her happy, protect her, be apart of her life and she was worth every minute of it,” said David Brink, Clinton’s father.

The Kern County Nurse Honor Guard — a 15-person ensemble — paid respects to the Brinks. After each sentence the entire group repeated that the couple were there for their patients.

“To embrace the woes of the world, willingly and offer hope, nurse Cristen and Clinton were there and now that it is time to be at the greater one’s side, Nurse Cristen and Clinton are there,” said an honor guard member.

Cristen, a star volleyball player, played in Division II at California State-San Bernardino.

One of her friends and teammates, Bri Monsieur, shared a few words at the service.

“She was soft spoken and gentle, but when I heard her yell ‘up’, I knew the ball was safe,” said Monsieur. “I could still hear her saying it as if she was standing right next to me today.”

On July 26th, the Brinks took their 7 and 9-year-old daughters to Devil’s Den State Park to go on a hike. Arkansas police say, 28-year-old James McCann stabbed Clinton, as Cristen took the girls to safety. Cristen went back for her husband, but both were found dead on the trail.

After a long manhunt, McCann was arrested and plead not guilty to two capital murder charges.

The Brinks’ daughters are safe, and were not injured during the attack.

The pair dedicated their lives to saving others, and lost theirs protecting their children.