Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and former police chief, has escaped from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas. Known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin executed a carefully planned escape using a convincing disguise resembling law enforcement attire, evading detection on Sunday afternoon.
Arkansas Department of Corrections spokesperson Rand Champion confirmed Hardin's disguise was not a standard inmate or correctional officer uniform but a fabricated law enforcement outfit. The escape occurred around 2:55 p.m., yet went unnoticed until nearly two hours later, allowing Hardin a considerable head start into the rugged Ozark Mountains surrounding the prison.
The region's challenging terrain—characterized by caves, cliffs, and dense forests—both hampers and aids the ongoing search efforts. Authorities have deployed drones, helicopters, and K9 units to conduct a thorough manhunt. However, heavy rainfall has complicated ground operations and may assist Hardin in concealing his trail.
Hardin’s intimate knowledge of the Ozarks, where he was once the police chief of the small town of Gateway and a longtime resident, provides a significant advantage in evading capture. Local residents report he is familiar with the natural landscape and survival tactics.
Hardin, age 60, was serving concurrent sentences of 30 years for the 2017 murder of James Appleton—a water department worker shot in the head—and 50 years for a 1997 rape of a schoolteacher in Rogers. He pled guilty to both crimes and has been housed at Calico Rock since 2017. Despite his violent convictions, officials placed him in a medium-security facility, a decision now under scrutiny.
The escape has deeply unsettled nearby communities and victims’ families. Cheryl Tillman, sister of the murder victim, expressed renewed anguish and called Hardin "an evil man" unfit for society. In response, Izard County Sheriff Charley Melton urged residents to secure their property and report any suspicious activity.
Hardin’s criminal history and transformation from a trusted police chief to a convicted killer were the subject of the 2023 true-crime documentary "Devil in the Ozarks." Prosecutors now face the burden of reopening wounds as they intensify efforts to locate him. Prosecutor Bryan Sexton remarked on the emotional toll of revisiting the case during this time.
Former U.S. Marshal Inspector Craig Caine stated that while Hardin’s local knowledge and survival skills pose a serious threat, his ability to remain at large is finite due to limited resources and the close-knit nature of rural communities where anonymity is difficult.
Authorities continue to expand search operations across the Ozarks, urging vigilance as the public remains watchful. The manhunt represents a critical race against time to prevent any further harm from this dangerous fugitive.
