Authorities Hunt for Escaped Convicted Killer in the Ozarks
Calico Rock, AR – Officials are intensifying their search for Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted murderer who escaped from the North Central Unit prison on Sunday, drawing national attention. Known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin is serving a combined 80-year sentence for the murder of 59-year-old James Appleton and a 1997 rape incident.
Using a disguise to impersonate a corrections officer, Hardin tricked a prison employee into opening a secured gate. Dressed in a non-standard uniform, he made his escape at approximately 2:55 PM, with two hours passing before prison officials reported the incident. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his capture.
The motives and methods behind Hardin’s escape remain unclear. Authorities are investigating whether his job in the prison kitchen may have facilitated his escape plan. As the search broadens into the rugged terrain of northern Arkansas, law enforcement employs helicopters, drones, and canines to locate him.
Local officials, including Gateway’s mayor Cheryl Tillman, whose family is connected to his victim, expressed deep concern over the escape. “My heart just sank,” Tillman said. “Anxiety is really high. We have a loaded gun now.”
Hardin’s tenure as police chief in Gateway, which began in 2016, was marked by erratic behavior before he resigned amid allegations of misconduct. The community remains on high alert, as local and federal agencies collaborate in the manhunt.
As rain-soaked searches continue in the difficult terrain, authorities remain hopeful that community vigilance will aid in returning Hardin to custody swiftly. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his escape is ongoing.
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