Authorities Search for Escaped Convicted Killer in Ozark Mountains
CALICO ROCK, ARK. – Law enforcement officials are intensifying their search for Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted murderer who escaped from the North Central Unit prison over the weekend. Known infamously as the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin was serving a lengthy sentence for murder and rape when he managed to elude custody on Sunday afternoon.
Hardin’s escape is particularly alarming following a recent jail break in New Orleans, raising concerns over security in correctional facilities. According to a court document, Hardin impersonated a corrections officer, successfully convincing a prison officer to open a secure gate. He reportedly dressed in a non-standard uniform, the origin of which is currently under investigation.
Hardin has been imprisoned since 2017 after fatally shooting James Appleton, a local water department employee. His crime escalated further when DNA evidence implicated him in a 1997 rape in Rogers, leading to a combined 80-year sentence.
His brief tenure as Gateway’s police chief in 2016 was marked by troubling behavior, prompting local authorities to intervene. A documentary titled "Devil in the Ozarks" released in 2023 brought renewed attention to Hardin’s violent past and the community’s response to his conduct.
Search efforts in the rugged Ozark terrain are being conducted using canines, drones, and helicopters, but recent heavy rainfall has complicated the operation. Authorities remain uncertain about whether Hardin received any assistance during his escape, with investigators pursuing all leads in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies.
The community is on high alert as the manhunt continues, with officials hopeful that local recognition will aid in Hardin’s capture.
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