(NewsNation) — Imagine one day working in a salon and not realizing you’re cutting the hair of a murder suspect.
Meet Adriana Ruiz Avalos.
Avalos was giving Andrew James McGann a haircut when authorities arrested him for allegedly killing a married couple last weekend in Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas.
Before the arrest, “he looked soulless,” Avalos told “Banfield” on Thursday. “He didn’t look right. As I was examining him, his hair, his scalp looked very dry and matted.”
Hairdresser had ‘eerie feeling’ about McGann
Avalos, despite never knowing or seeing McGann go into the salon before, said his presence gave her a weird feeling as she asked him to come sit for her to cut his hair.
“As soon as I saw him, as I was telling him to come into my chair, I had an eerie feeling about him,” Avalos said.
Avalos said McGann’s eyes as he walked toward her were very noticeable: “They were very sunken.”
Before beginning the haircut, Avalos’ aunt — who also works at the salon — had asked McGann to sign his name, but was met with a blank stare.
“Something kind of didn’t feel right,” said Avalos, based on her aunt’s reaction.
McGann showed no emotion during arrest
When McGann was being arrested, Avalos said, he didn’t seem to acknowledge the situation he was facing.
When the detective came into the salon, “He had his head down the whole time,” Avalos said. “And he really didn’t say anything until they’re, like, ‘I believe it’s your car.'”
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Special agents with the Arkansas State Police have arrested Andrew James McGann, 28, of Springdale, in connection to a double homicide at Devil’s Den State Park on July 26, 2025. (Courtesy) -
Picture of suspect’s back in Devil’s Den State Park killings. (COURTESY) -
Sketch of the suspect in Devil’s Den State Park killings. (COURTESY) -
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on a walking trail at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. (Source: GoFundMe) -
A couple was killed while hikiung at Devil’s Den State Park. (KNWA)
Wrapping her head around the whole situation, Avalos said it was super upsetting.
“It does take a toll on someone. I’m just overwhelmed. I’m saddened because two little girls lost their parents. And it’s … a soulless act by Andrew. It’s unimaginable.”
McGann was charged with two counts of capital murder for Clinton and Cristen Brink’s deaths after his arrest. He is being held without bond at the Washington County jail.
