Who is James Andrew McGann? The School Teacher Police Say Killed Married Hikers

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Who is James Andrew McGann? The School Teacher Police Say Killed Married Hikers"

Published on July 31, 2025, on iHeartPodcasts' "Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present"

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Introduction

In this episode of "Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present," the hosts delve into the shocking case of James Andrew McGann, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher accused of murdering a married couple and their two young daughters during a hiking trip in Devil's Den State Park, northwest Arkansas. The discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the incident, the ensuing five-day manhunt, community reactions, and the broader implications of a trusted educator being implicated in such a heinous crime.

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The Tragic Incident

Kairos of the Crime: On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Clinton and Kristen Brink, along with their two daughters aged 7 and 9, embarked on a family hike in Devil's Den State Park. As they enjoyed the trails, tragedy struck when they were attacked, leading to the deaths of the parents. The children managed to seek help at a nearby visitor center, alerting authorities to the incident.

Impact on the Children: Maria Hinojosa highlights the traumatic experience for the young girls, stating, “... the two girls who were there with their parents... managed and... are the ones who told the woman at the desk our parents have been attacked.” (07:48)

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The Five-Day Manhunt

Community in Fear: The revelation that an elementary school teacher was the prime suspect sent shockwaves through the northwest Arkansas community. Amy Robach describes the region's response, noting how the manhunt instilled fear among residents who were unable to engage in their usual outdoor activities. “... the trails were closed... everybody was kind of living in fear...” (04:40)

Suspect Profile and Capture: James Andrew McGann was eventually apprehended after police traced him to a local barber shop where he was mid-haircut. The arrest was facilitated by a composite sketch and subsequent surveillance footage. Robach comments on the eerie nature of his capture: “... it looked like he was on a mission... just like a silhouette of that person. You can't see the face.” (11:22)

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Public Reaction and Controversy

Delayed Public Notification: There was significant backlash from the community regarding the police's six-hour delay in informing the public about the suspect. Hinojosa explains, “... police claimed that by the time they did all the interviews... it took them a while to reach people to investigate the scene.” (09:24)

Criticism and Trust Issues: Residents felt uneasy about the delayed communication, leading to distrust in law enforcement's handling of the situation. “Public didn't appreciate that... it's hard to get word out,” Robach adds. (09:42)

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Investigation and Motive

Lack of Clear Motive: Authorities have not disclosed a definitive motive behind McGann's actions, leaving the community and listeners grappling with questions. Hinojosa remarks, “... he didn't have any reason why he would have chosen those people and that family in particular.” (14:33)

Potential Threat to the School Community: With McGann set to start teaching in early August, there is heightened concern about the safety of students and the integrity of the school environment. Robach emphasizes the looming threat, “... he could have been in a classroom with children... frightening to think he could have been hiding in plain sight and teaching your children.” (21:50)

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Background and Professional History

Educational Credentials: McGann had previously passed background checks and held teaching positions in multiple states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Despite this, questions arise about the thoroughness of these vetting processes given his actions. Hinojosa notes, “... teachers have to do it. How do you... sit across a table from somebody and go, yeah, this might be a killer.” (25:27)

Community Perception: Listeners are left to wonder how McGann was perceived by colleagues, parents, and students before the incident. Hinojosa speculates, “... we're going to be hearing a lot about who this guy was leading up to this vicious attack.” (26:28)

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Community and Educational Impact

Safety Concerns: The incident has sparked a broader conversation about safety in schools and the potential for hidden threats within trusted institutions. Parents and educators alike are questioning the measures in place to protect children from such unpredictable dangers.

Psychological Toll: The emotional burden on the community, especially the two young children who witnessed their parents' deaths, is profound. The podcast underscores the need for mental health support and community healing following such a traumatic event.

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Conclusion and Ongoing Developments

As the episode concludes, Robach and Hinojosa reaffirm their commitment to keeping listeners informed about the latest developments in the McGann case. With McGann expected to appear in court the following day, the community awaits further clarity on his motives and the legal ramifications of his actions. The hosts express a mix of relief at the suspect’s capture and lingering concerns about the safety and trust within their educational and communal spaces.

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Notable Quotes:

• Maria Hinojosa: “... when I became a journalist, I was the first Latina in the newsrooms where I worked...” (01:05) (Note: This appears to be part of an advertisement and may be excluded based on content relevance.)

• Amy Robach: “A killer, a monster on the loose. Someone who was capable of killing a couple right in front of their kids. And it's a school teacher.” (03:07)

• Maria Hinojosa: “... the couples were attacked while hiking... they died protecting their kids.” (08:58)

• Amy Robach: “... the kids were fine. Not harmed at all?” (07:48)

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Final Thoughts

This episode provides a harrowing look into a community shattered by an act of violence perpetrated by someone they trusted. Through in-depth discussion and poignant reflections, Robach and Hinojosa explore the complexities of the case, the shortcomings in public communication, and the lasting impact on those directly and indirectly affected. Listeners are left contemplating the fragile nature of safety and trust within their communities.

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For more stories and updates, listeners are encouraged to stay tuned to "Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present" on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or their preferred podcast platforms.

Transcript

[Maria Hinojosa]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Amy Robach]

Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.

[Maria Hinojosa]

We need to embrace this community.

[Amy Robach]

Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up guys? Welcome to the Agusto Papa podcast, the go to spot for everything. Musica Mexicana. We're proud Mexican Americans who live and breathe this music. We started this podcast to share and discuss our views of Musica Mexicana. Whether you like to vibe to Peso Pluma, Los Alegres del Varanco, Ariel Camacho or Po Ivan Cornejo, when you get it in feels, then this podcast is for you. Well actually Peso was supposed to be on Chinito's album. The song with Drake was supposed to be with Peso. Let's listen to Aguz LaPa on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Hinojosa]

When I became a journalist, I was the first Latina in the newsrooms where I worked. I'm Maria Hinojosa. I spent my career creating journalism that centers voices who have been historically sidelined. From the most pressing news stories to deep cultural explorations, Latino USA is journalism with heart. Listen to Latino usa, the longest running Latino news and culture show in the United States. Hear it on the IH radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

Ding dong. Las culturistas calling from YouTube. You heard that right. Las Culturistas now has its own YouTube channel. Check out full episodes. Iconic interviews, visual bits and culture moments that'll change your life. All in stunning hd. So don't wait. Be sure to watch las culturistas on [e-mail] lasculturistas Ding dong. Las culturistas calling from YouTube.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Hey guys, it's Janae aka Cheekies from Cheekies and Chill Podcast and I'm bringing you an all new mini podcast series called Sincerely Jhena. Sure, I'm a singer, author, businesswoman and podcaster, but at the end of the day I am human and that's why I'm sharing my ups and downs with you in real time and on the go. Listen to Jiggies and chill on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

Hey there folks. It is Thursday, July 31 and after a five day manhunt police found the man they believe murdered a couple that was out on a hike with their young children. And it turns out he's an elementary school teacher. Welcome to this what the actual hell Episode of Amy and TJ Robes. A killer, a monster on the loose. Someone who was capable of killing a couple right in front of their kids. And it's a school teacher.

[Maria Hinojosa]

And, and you know what, it's a point to be made that it's an elementary school teacher too. I mean I know any educator who's in charge of guiding our children and you trust your children with is shocking enough. But to think he was with these small children, he was a fear 5th grade school teacher and to think that he was capable of doing what has been a shocking and heinous crime, even if it was just this couple alone. But to do it in front of their two young girls, it's beyond unthinkable. And to know now that police say it was a 28 year old fifth grade schoolteacher.

[Amy Robach]

And I didn't think about this until this moment, but the two girls who were there with their parents were ages 7 and 9. That 9 year old is right about 5th grade age. That's just wild or whatever coincidence it may be. But I think for five days northwest Arkansas was living in fear. This guy has been on the run. At least the person they believe always innocent till proven guilty. But right now they're telling the community there is no longer a threat to the community because they have this guy with robes. That area up there and there's a lot you visited. I went to school there. But there is a lot of, of mountains and rough terrain and places to go and hide and hiking trails and it's all a part of that area. And to think that somebody might have just been running around lurking. But just one, some mountain man. This guy was involved enough that he needed a haircut and that's how he got caught. Not out in the woods, but getting a damn haircut.

[Maria Hinojosa]

And that's such a good point. That's also something that's so shocking. I think many of us imagined, yes, some survivalist, some lone wolf, some person who's separated from society, who, who has chosen to be off the grid, who knows the land, who can hide and no, this was a dude who was living in a very metropolitan area. For people who don't know, this area of Arkansas is first of all, it's gorgeous and second, it's highly populated. We just were at a wedding in Springdale a few months ago. Your sister lives there Your niece lives there. And this is a big biking and hiking and running community. Everyone's outdoors all the time. I couldn't even imagine because the biking community and the running community. Community, I, I doubt a lot of people felt safe doing those activities while he was on the loose for these past five days.

[Amy Robach]

And the Devil's Den State park there, they've had all their trails closed since the weekend when this actually happened. So, yeah, everybody was kind of living in fear in this area. But like you're saying robes, we were like, do I really want to go out on a trail and be out in the woods? You're thinking, somebody's lurking around in all those places to hide. No, he was smack dab in the middle of Springdale, and not just in the middle of that town. He was about to play a very important role in that as a member of the school community. He had moved to this area because he had just been hired for the Springdale at the Springdale School District. And so this guy, James Andrew McCann is the name. Really young guy, 28 years old. He's now facing two counts of capital murder. He is expected to be in court tomorrow for a hearing. But Robes, you go back to this incident that really not just shocked the community, but kind of shocking for the nation when we heard what happened in the park on Saturday. Yeah, a couple attacked, but they were walking a family of four. Walking?

[Maria Hinojosa]

Yes, Clinton and Kristen Brink. They had just moved, so sadly, just moved to northwest Arkansas. Clinton was about to start a job as a delivery truck driver. Kristen was a registered nurse. And yes, there are two young girls, 7 and 9, were with them out on a hike. It was a hot day, but it was a beautiful sunny day. So the woods might have been a little treat, cooling them with the shade. So, yeah, they were just on their way, as were several other folks in, in the area on those very same hiking trails. It's such a place of peace. It's a place where you feel safe, especially when you have your whole family with you and, you know, other people are on the trail as well. I don't think anybody, I, I, I, you know, I'm an avid hiker. I've never, when I'm alone, maybe running in the woods, which I've done, maybe I'm a little bit more aware and a little concerned, but not really. And certainly when you've got a group and a family and you just would never even. You wouldn't have your guard up necessarily.

[Amy Robach]

Broad daylight, Saturday afternoon on a hiking trail. You're in a Group of four, you feel safe. There was nothing that family would have been out there worried about other than poison ivy or a snake bite. You're not, you're just not expecting this. And I think that was the shocking part, Rose, when we heard, wait a minute, the kids were 7 and 9 and you hear this and you think first, did they see it? Did they have to witness all of this? Did they have to see their parents being killed? And then we worried. How are the kids? The kids were fine. Not harmed at all?

[Maria Hinojosa]

Well, the reports are that the kids somehow managed and we're going to be getting more details in the next couple of days, police have assured us. But the kids ended up at the visitor center and they are the ones who told the woman at the desk our parents have been attacked. So they certainly, it seems as though they saw at least the attack itself. Who knows how much they saw. But we were just conjecturing the other day thinking you, if you're the parents, you're probably just screaming run, run, run to your kids and did that very thing and were able to get to safety unharmed. And that is when the Visitor center alerted 911. And that, I mean, shortly thereafter, I believe they found the bodies.

[Amy Robach]

And you mentioned that what the parents probably did, any parent, you just instinctively were going to do this. But I think it was the family of the two who died. Didn't they say in the statement that they died protecting. They made that point that they died protecting their kids. And you know, if they got attacked, their first thought was I need to do everything I can to make sure these kids get out of here. And okay, the last act of their life, I'm sure was protecting their 7 and 9 year old kid.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Of course it was, of course it was. And you know, those little girls, I'm sure told their family members exactly what happened. So they were able to speak with authority and clarity that Clinton and Kristen died saving their daughters.

[Amy Robach]

Okay, so we're waiting and waiting. Right. And there was some controversy early on in the, in the community was actually pissed at police. What was it, a six hour gap between. A six hour gap between the attack of when the reports first came in and when they let the public know.

[Maria Hinojosa]

It was between when they found the bodies and when they actually alerted the public that there was a double murderer on the loose.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, public didn't appreciate that. How did that. Can't even remember right now exactly how they explained it. It didn't sound like the best explanation, but take them at their word. It was hard to get Word out.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Police claimed that by the time they did all the interviews that they needed to. To complete on the scene there, to figure out exactly what may have happened, and the fact that it was rugged terrain, so it took them a while to reach people to investigate the scene. And then on top of that, they say there was spotty cell service. So it was difficult, literally, to get the word out, they claim.

[Amy Robach]

So that was just six hours. And people there were criticizing, but it went much longer than six hours. This went four days. So it took five days before they tracked this person down. They did have a composite sketch that went out. The sketch compared to the suspect, do you think it was spot on? Spot on?

[Maria Hinojosa]

Oh, I thought it was really, really well done. And we're getting a little bit of interesting tidbits about how that sketch may have even come about, because we've heard, you know, obviously there were other people on the trail here and there, but there's a local podcaster, a guy out of Arkansas, who is an investigative podcaster, and he actually spoke to a couple who was on the trail, and they talked about. They said they were the ones who gave the details to police where they were able to complete this composite sketch. But they saw a man who stood out first of all, that day, that hiking day, it was about 100 degrees, they said, so everybody was dressed appropriately except for this man they saw who was dressed head to toe in black. They said he looked like he was on a mission. And they described the way he looked at them as though he gave them a death stare. And they described him as just having bad energy to the point where they kind of looked at each other. They had a dog with them, and they were just like, oof. And so they didn't know until the next day that anything had happened. The word didn't get out. And that's when they said they both looked at each other and said, oh, my God, we saw him.

[Amy Robach]

And it wasn't just them able to do the composite sketch. I haven't seen where the picture came from, but some of you listening will remember the sketch came out, and then a day or two later, they had a picture. They were calling. I mean, they were calling. All hikers, if you were in this area, please look at your pictures. Look at your video. You might have possibly inadvertently gotten a shot of this suspect. And so they released an image of. And this thing was creepy as hell. So all the descriptions we were getting dark hat, dark pants, a duffel bell or a backpack and all this stuff. And then to see the Image just from the back of somebody looking out that they say was the suspect. And again, I made the comment, you and I watch a lot of horror movies and it is a hallmark of a lot of them. One of the scariest scenes is the monster or the killer. Just a silhouette of that person. You can't see the face. And that's what it looked like. It was a creepy, creepy picture. And he's all black on 100 degree day. Fully in all black.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Yeah. And first of all, when, if you're a hiker, you don't typically see people all in all black in long sleeves when it's that hot outside with a duffel bag. The way he had it, it wasn't even like a hiker's backpack. It was more like a duffel, a mesh duff duffel bag. So he had something in there. It just looked eerie. And certainly when you see the mug shot of this man, compared to the sketch, I think it's spot on. Do you not?

[Amy Robach]

Oh, yeah. Oh, my goodness. It's just the hat. And again, where he was caught, it was. We were just commenting a second ago, all the descriptions said a guy in a dark hat. And then we got word that he was arrested at a barber shop. Yes, at a salon in Springdale. Mid haircut, we're told. Police go in, they cover the front, they cover the back. They apparently saw a vehicle that matched the description. So they go in looking for the guy, he's in the chair getting a haircut. And in his post arrest picture, looks like they didn't finish his haircut.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Yeah, he actually looks like a man who had half his haircut and still was in need of it. And the woman who was actually cutting his hair, this was at Lupita's Beauty Salon and Barber shop in Springdale. She actually took pictures of his. Of police had actually used part of his hair as evidence. And then his vehicle, she was taking videos and pictures. She. Can you imagine you're cutting a customer's hair and police storm in and arrest him and you realize that this person who you were touching, who you were that close with, was this double murder suspect that police had been searching for for five days. I can't even get my head around what that must have been like for her.

[Amy Robach]

You know that anybody who's been to a salon, anybody ever had a haircut, it is a very intimate experience.

[Maria Hinojosa]

It is.

[Amy Robach]

Folks have to be right up on you, right up under you, touching you in all kinds of ways. And to again, that thought, Rose, I mean, I've been In. In places with murderers on the other side of a jail cell. Right. And that scares the hell out of me.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Oh, yeah. It's eerie as hell.

[Amy Robach]

I mean, to think the guy, somebody it's capable of doing what he's accused of is the guy you're casually just around is absolutely terrifying for this lady.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Yeah. And it's one of those other moments where, look, police right now have said they don't believe that McGahn knew his victims or had any reason why he would have chosen those people and that family in particular. But it's so fascinating to think how he chose, why he chose. So he passes this one family with a dog who take note of him, but doesn't bother them. He's walking around town, apparently in Springdale, decides not to attack anybody else. He's in a barbershop. He's peaceful and calm. You know, it's just so. It's unexplicable and it's unimaginable how and why someone like that would make the choices that he did.

[Amy Robach]

But, folks, it was shocking. The crime, several days of the manhunt. It was intense. It was terrifying. But then comes the arrest, and then we learn who this guy is. And this guy has been teaching elementary school students for the past several years.

[Maria Hinojosa]

So what happened to Chappaquiddick? Well, it really depends on who you talk to.

[Amy Robach]

There are many versions of what happened in 1969 when a young Ted Kennedy drew drove a car into a pond.

[Maria Hinojosa]

And left a woman behind to drown. There's a famous headline, I think, in the New York Daily News.

[Amy Robach]

It's Teddy Escapes blonde drowns.

[Maria Hinojosa]

And in a strange way, right, that sort of tells you the story really became about ted's political future, Ted's political hopes. Will Ted become president?

[Amy Robach]

Kappaquiddick is a story of a tragic death and how the Kennedy machine took control.

[Maria Hinojosa]

And he's not the only Kennedy to survive a scandal.

[Amy Robach]

The Kennedys have lived through disgrace, affairs, violence, you name it. So is there a curse? Every week we go behind the headlines and beyond the drama of America's royal family.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Listen to United States of Kennedy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford, and in session 421 of Therapy for Black Girls, I sit down with Dr. Afia and.

[Amy Robach]

Billy Shaka to explore how our hair.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Connects to our identity, mental health, and.

[Amy Robach]

The ways we heal.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Because I think hair is a complex language system, right, in terms of it can tell how old you are, your marital status, where you're from, your spiritual beliefs, but I think with social media there's like a hyper fixation and observation of our hair, right? That this is sometimes the first thing someone sees when we make a post or a reel is how our hair is styled. We talk about the important role hairstylists play in our community, the pressure to always look put together, and how breaking up with perfection can actually free us.

[Amy Robach]

Plus, if you're someone who gets anxious.

[Maria Hinojosa]

About flying, don't miss session 418 with Dr. Angela Neal Barnett, where we dive into managing flight anxiety. Listen to therapy for black Girls on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness, the way it has echoed and reverberated throughout your life, impacting your very legacy. Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro and these are just a few of the profound and powerful stories I'll be mining on our 12th season of Family Secrets. With over 37 million downloads, we continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. I can't wait to share 10 powerful new episodes with you. Stories of tangled up identities, concealed truths, and the way in which family secrets almost always need to be told. I hope you'll join me and my extraordinary guests for this new season of Family Secrets. Listen to Family Secrets, Season 12 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. We go behind the scenes and explore the stories of those involved. San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.

[Maria Hinojosa]

We need veteran players and we need young players.

[Amy Robach]

Like you're building a team from scratch and so the succession plan of long.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Term success needs to be defined. We need to embrace this community. When I was 13, my uncle took.

[Amy Robach]

Me to a qualifier and we watched Paraguay against Chile. Pouring rain.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Just watching the fans jumping up and.

[Amy Robach]

Down, I think that was definitely a watershed moment for me.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Not only was that going to be.

[Amy Robach]

My game, but it was going to be my life. Listen to San Diego FC behind the flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Get fired up, y'. All. Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people and an incomparable soccer icon, Megan Rapinoe. To the show and we had a blast. We talked about her recent 40th birthday celebrations, Co hosting a podcast with her fiance Sue, Bird watching former teammates retire and more. Never a dull moment with Pino. Take a listen. What do you miss the most about being a pro athlete? The final. The final and the locker room. I really, really like you. Just you can't replicate, you can't get back showing up to the locker room every morning just to talk. We've got more incredible guests like the legendary Candice Parker and college superstar Az Fudd. I mean, seriously, y', all, the guest list is absolutely stacked for season two. And you know, we're always gonna keep you up to speed on all the news and happenings around the women's sports world as well. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRad Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports.

[Amy Robach]

All right, folks, we continue now with the word of James Andrew McGann, a 28 year old man who has now been charged with two counts of capital murder and the death of two hikers who are hiking in Arkansas at Devil's Den State park along with their young children. They were killed last Saturday after a five day manhunt. They have finally tracked him down. And Robes, I don't know if we gave a good enough perspective of northwest Arkansas. I guess most people are familiar with the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville up there in northwest Arkansas. Obviously I'm familiar where I went to school. So if you go to Fayetteville, you go about 10 miles north and you hit Springdale. But if you're in Fayetteville and you go about 25 miles south, you hit Devil's Den State Park. So it's about 35 miles between Devil's Den State park where the murders happened, and Springdale ultimately. So it appears that is where certainly he was spending his time. He was living in robes. He was about to start working.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Can you imagine if you have a child in that school system and you just think about the fact that if he hadn't been caught. When does school start there? Pretty soon. Correct? I mean down there it's usually like early to mid August. So he could have been in a classroom with children in a matter of days or at least in a matter of a week or two if he had not been caught and if those folks who hadn't recognized him or recognized that he looked strange, given those descriptions to police, handed over the videos and photos that they had. Some folks had. One guy had a video of a car, of the car, and that is how they were able to get it. I actually watched that video online today. So just people who inadvertently happened to capture him. All of this video, all this technology handed over to police allowed them to zero in on this man. But had that not been the case, it is so frightening to think he could have been hiding in plain sight and teaching your children.

[Amy Robach]

And you know, you mentioned the car and what is important to make the note of. Right. He. It was duct tape on the license plate. And given what he was wearing, giving what he was carrying, he seemed like he was going out there with a purpose. This was premeditated. What, did he just go out there to find someone to kill? Was he. I can't imagine. Again, they don't think he was targeting these folks in particular. So what was his plan really? To find a random person to kill police?

[Maria Hinojosa]

The only thing they said. And while they did say, yes, that they don't believe that he knew his victims, but they did say that they didn't want to address motive right now. So I read into that that perhaps they do have an idea. They're just not ready to reveal it yet. Because again, everyone in these cases wants to know why. Not that it helps, not that it necessarily. It doesn't bring anyone back, it doesn't alleviate grief, but just to understand, perhaps in order to prevent. But really it's just, it's mind boggling.

[Amy Robach]

And you know, I mentioned after you said it, he said, hey, this guy soon could have been teaching kids. Now it seems they say he hadn't started yet and he had not interacted with any of the students or any of the parents. But I'm looking at the website here. School starts in a matter of two weeks. August 11, he was that close to being in a classroom. They say August 11th. Yes. First day of school in Springdale.

[Maria Hinojosa]

They said he hadn't interacted with students or parents. He didn't. They didn't necessarily say he hadn't interacted with other teachers because, you know, teachers go back early, they get their classroom set up. No word yet if anyone had actually interacted with him.

[Amy Robach]

Had he been in the school already at this point? Don't teachers go and prep? My mom's an elementary school teacher. She seemed like she worked all summer to me.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Absolutely. And you know, he again passed those background checks in the Springdale public school system. He also did in the Oklahoma school system he was working in. He was also licensed to teach in the State of Texas as well. So, you know, he had access to children. It's just we. I. It's so frightening. Thank goodness he was caught.

[Amy Robach]

When he was caught, you know, folks will wonder about background checks, and at least two, I think, or maybe even three school districts he's worked with put out statements pretty quickly saying, yes, he worked here. This is when. This is when he left. And he passed all background checks. Yes, teachers have to do it. How do you. What signs were missed? Right. It's not a suggestion that any of these school districts did anything wrong, but if a guy passes a background check, how do you register? How do you sit across a table from somebody and go, yeah, this might be a killer. We're not going to hire this one. Even though he has a resume that shows he's worked as a teacher in several other school districts. I don't know what you could possibly do about it.

[Maria Hinojosa]

I think we will be hearing from parents, students, folks who actually were in his classrooms, and I'm really curious to hear what their take was of him. Did they not notice anything? Did he. Did he pass as a normal, friendly elementary school teacher? Or did people always feel like he had strange energy or they got bad vibes from him? I'm feeling. I really. And I'm hoping. And I can only imagine most people will say, holy crap, this guy taught me, or this guy taught my kids. And I, you know, parent, parent, student, excuse me, parent teacher conferences. I mean, he had to have had interactions with lots of folks over the last several years dealing with their most prized possession, their children. So people, you remember teachers, and you really remember teachers that you don't like or you don't think are good for your kids. So I am very curious because obviously his name just came out, but I could only imagine we're going to be hearing a lot about who this guy was leading up to this vicious attack.

[Amy Robach]

All right, guys, we're going to keep an eye on all that's happening in this case. Yes, there's some relief in northwest Arkansas that a potential killer, the killer is potentially off. Off the streets. Yes, it's clear to. To make this point. Police up there do not believe there is a continued threat to the community because of these murders. They believe they have their guy here. Their guy will be in court tomorrow.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Tomorrow.

[Amy Robach]

Has he entered a plea yet at all?

[Maria Hinojosa]

No, no, we haven't heard anything about the plea, just that his. He's been charged with two counts of capital murder and he could face the death penalty in the state of Arkansas. There are 23 people on death row in Arkansas right now. So this is a state that has no problem putting people on death row. But yes, his hearing is tomorrow, August 1st. And we will of course give you all the latest details as they become available in terms of just, just who this man was. Any more information and certainly what the courts decide to do with him tomorrow. In the meantime, though, want to thank you for listening. I'm Amy Robach alongside my partner TJ Holmes. We hope you have a wonderful day today.

[Amy Robach]

Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. San Diego coming to MLS is gonna be a game changer because this region is has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.

[Maria Hinojosa]

We need to embrace this community.

[Amy Robach]

Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Hinojosa]

When I became a journalist, I was the first Latina in the newsrooms where I worked. I'm Maria Hinojosa. I spent my career creating journalism that centers voices who have been historically sidelined. From the most pressing news stories to deep cultural explorations, Latino USA is journalism with heart. Listen to Latino usa, the longest running Latino news and culture show in the United States. Hear it on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

What's up guys? Welcome to the Agusto Papa podcast. The go to spot for everything Musica Mexicana. We're proud Mexican Americans who live and breathe this music. We started this podcast to share and discuss our views of Musica Mexic. Whether you like to vibe to Peso pluma, los alegre del Varanco are El Camacho or Puri Van Cornejo. When you get in your feels, then this podcast is for you. Well, actually Peso was supposed to be on Chinito's album. The song with Drake was supposed to be with Peso. Listen to Agusto Pa on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Maria Hinojosa]

Hey guys, it's Janae AKA Cheekies from Cheekies and Chill Podcast and I'm bringing you an all new mini podcast series called Sincerely Janae. Sure, I'm a singer, author, businesswoman and podcaster, but at the end of the day, I am human and that's why I'm sharing my ups and downs with you in real time and on the go. Listen to Chickies and chill on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

Ding Dong Las culturistas calling from YouTube. You heard that right. Las Culturistas now has its own YouTube channel. Check out full episodes, iconic interviews, visual bits and culture moments that'll change your life. All in stunning hd. So don't wait. Be sure to watch las culturistas on [e-mail] lasculturistas Ding dong. Las culturistas calling from YouTube.

[Maria Hinojosa]

This is an iHeart podcast.