2025 murders rock small towns across America from Mississippi to Montana

In 2025, idyllic small towns across America are disrupted by acts of violence, from Mississippi to Montana, from Arkansas to Washington state.

The murders occurred on homecoming weekends, in neighborhood bars, at campgrounds and on hiking trails.

Together, the cases exposed the vulnerabilities of small-town America: unresolved personal disputes, untreated mental health crises and domestic violence.

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Devil’s Den, Arkansas:

A visit to a state park in Northwest Arkansas ended in a double murder.

Clinton Brink (43) and Cristen Brink (41), parents of three children, were stabbed to death while hiking in Devil’s Den State Park on July 26.

The couple had recently moved to Arkansas to be closer to family and start a new chapter. Their friends described them as kind, active and devoted parents.

“They loved taking the girls and going for walks,” said Mary Hinebauch, a friend from their old church in Montana. “This wasn’t an unnatural place for them.”

Arkansas State Police arrested 28-year-old Andrew James McGann, charging him with murdering the couple. Investigators said the killings appeared unprovoked. The arrest came a day later the police were released “It’s a composite sketch of a man they are trying to identify for questioning in connection with a double murder.”

“This was a very safe place,” Hinebauch said. “This is pure evil.”

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The FBI’s Jackson Field Office released this “seek information” poster featuring four suspects wanted in connection with the October 11, 2025 mass shooting in Leland, Mississippi, that left six people dead and 20 injured. (FBI)

Leland, Mississippi:

Just after midnight on October 11, 2025, in Leland, Mississippi, a small Washington County city with a population of around 3,700, the excitement of homecoming weekend was shattered by a shooting following a football game.

At least six people died and at least 19 people were injured.

The FBI’s Jackson Field Office announced the arrest of four people in connection with the shooting.

Three people named Teviyon Powell (29); William Bryant, 29; and Morgan Lattimore, 25, were charged with capital murder. The fourth suspect, 44-year-old Latoya Powell, was charged with attempted murder.

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Investigators said they believe the violence stemmed from a personal dispute, but a definitive motive has not been confirmed.

“This is not who we are as a community,” Leland Mayor John Lee said. “We are heartbroken for these families.”

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Main Street in Anaconda, Montana, leads to the Deer Lodge County Courthouse with mountains in the background on August 8, 2025. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

Anaconda, Montana:

A quiet bar in Anaconda, Montana, a former mining town of about 9,000 people, was disrupted when a man opened fire on August 1, 2025.

Michael Paul Brown, 45, a former military member and longtime resident, walked into the Owl Bar around 10:30 a.m. and opened fire, authorities said. Authorities said Brown lived next door to the bar and customers inside recognized him.

Four people were killed: Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59; Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Kelley worked as a bartender; others were regular customers.

Brown’s escape sparked a massive, week-long manhunt that involved more than 130 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and Montana National Guard assisted by deploying helicopters, air patrols and ground teams in the rugged terrain.

The Department of Criminal Investigations in Montana released a photo of Michael Brown, who allegedly shot and killed four people at a bar on August 1, 2025, running from the scene. (Department of Criminal Investigations)

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Residents told Fox News Digital that fear descended on the town as the search dragged on.

“The town is just scared,” one bartender said. “Everyone is on edge.”

Brown was captured near a barn about five and a half miles from the bar on August 8. Authorities said he was armed.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen called the killings “in cold blood.”

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Travis Decker was suspected of killing his three daughters before disappearing into the Washington wilderness. (Chelan County Sheriff’s Office)

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Wenatchee, Washington:

In May 2025, a manhunt was launched for the fugitive father of three accused of killing his three daughters and disappearing into the wilderness.

Travis Decker, a former military and wilderness survival expert, failed to bring his three daughters back from court-mandated custodial visitation in late May 2025, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said. Days later, the bodies of 9-year-old Paityn Decker; Evelyn Decker, 8; and 5-year-old Olivia Decker were found at a campground in Chelan County.

According to the police, the girls were tied with zip ties and strangled.

This undated photo provided by Whitney Decker shows Paityn, Olivia, and Evelyn Decker. (Whitney Decker via AP)

What followed was a manhunt that spanned rugged mountainous terrain and involved multiple law enforcement agencies. In September, human remains were discovered on Grindstone Mountain, less than a mile from where the girls’ bodies were found. DNA testing later confirmed that the remains belonged to Decker.

“This will bring closure to our case,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said after the DNA results were confirmed. “We wanted to honor them and show that we haven’t forgotten.”

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Court records showed Decker’s ex-wife had previously petitioned to change her parenting plan, citing deteriorating mental health and unstable living conditions.

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Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca, Julia Bonavita, Michael Dorgan and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.