Haunting Encounter: Devil’s Den Suspect Seemed ‘Soulless,’ Says Springdale, AR (72764) Hairdresser — LIVE UPDATES

Springdale, AR (72764) – New chilling details have emerged in the Devil’s Den double homicide case as the hairdresser who unknowingly gave the murder suspect a haircut described him as “soulless” and eerily quiet. Andrew James McGann, 28, the man charged with the stabbing deaths of Clinton and Cristen Brink at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas, was arrested on July 31, 2025, at Lupita’s Beauty Salon in Springdale—five days after the attack. Authorities say he was altering his appearance to avoid detection.

Lupita, the salon’s owner and the stylist who cut his hair, spoke exclusively to investigators and local media, recounting the moment McGann walked in with a blank stare and a chilling demeanor. “He never smiled. His eyes were cold. He looked… soulless,” she told reporters. Surveillance footage shows McGann sitting quietly, paying in cash, and avoiding eye contact—just hours before U.S. Marshals and Arkansas State Police swarmed the salon to arrest him.

Key Facts

• BREAKING: Hairdresser says McGann looked “soulless” during haircut hours before arrest.

• IMPACT: McGann is charged with double murder; public shocked by new eyewitness account.

• OFFICIAL SOURCE: “He was actively altering his appearance.” — ASP Lt. Darren Rhoads

• ACTION: Anyone who interacted with McGann from July 26–31 should contact ASP tip line.

Hyperlocal Impact

1. Precise Location:
   Springdale, AR (72764) – Lupita’s Beauty Salon, near Thompson St & Huntsville Ave

2. Community Connection:

   “I cut his hair like anyone else. Now I can’t sleep.”
   – Lupita Romero, salon owner

Exclusive Angle

• WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
  McGann’s attempt to alter his identity underscores a broader national conversation around fugitive behavior and how everyday service workers may unknowingly encounter suspects. His arrest—while calm—followed five days of intensive manhunt involving drone searches and K9 units.

Exclusive Angle

• WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
  McGann’s attempt to alter his identity underscores a broader national conversation around fugitive behavior and how everyday service workers may unknowingly encounter suspects. His arrest—while calm—followed five days of intensive manhunt involving drone searches and K9 units.

The shocking murders of Cristen and Clinton Brink on a hiking trail in Devil’s Den State Park left a community reeling. Authorities say McGann, a former certified teacher in multiple states, randomly attacked the couple in front of their two young daughters. The children were able to escape and later gave law enforcement critical information that led to a composite sketch.

According to the Arkansas State Police, McGann fled the area and laid low in Washington County, checking into motels and changing his clothes frequently. By the time he walked into Lupita’s Beauty Salon on the afternoon of July 31, he had reportedly shaved most of his facial hair and was seeking a short, even cut—likely to reduce recognition from the sketch circulating online.

Hairdresser Lupita Romero said she felt “uneasy” during the entire interaction. “I just thought he was strange. No phone, no conversation—just that empty look.” She had no idea he was the suspect in one of Arkansas’s most disturbing murders until police swarmed in minutes after his haircut was done.

Update Log

•  July 31, 2:12 PM: Suspect receives haircut at Lupita’s Beauty Salon.

•  2:35 PM: Arrest made without incident; no injuries during takedown.

•  August 1: McGann held at Washington County Jail without bond.

This latest twist in the Devil’s Den double murder case paints a haunting picture of a killer hiding in plain sight. From national manhunt to a quiet salon in Springdale, McGann’s eerie behavior and calm demeanor stunned everyone who crossed his path.