Manhunt for 'Devil in the Ozarks' Escaped Convict Intensifies in Arkansas
Authorities believe that Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and former police chief dubbed the “Devil in the Ozarks,” has likely fled Arkansas after escaping from prison last month. A federal court filing in Little Rock revealed that Hardin escaped the Calico Rock prison by disguising himself in a law enforcement uniform. Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert J. Hammons mentioned two unconfirmed sightings of Hardin in central Arkansas and southern Missouri, leading investigators to believe he has left the state to evade capture. Hardin, who has extensive knowledge of the Ozark Mountain region, is suspected of hiding in caves or rugged terrain familiar to him.
The complaint against Hardin does not provide additional sightings or evidence of his escape from Arkansas. Law enforcement agencies are concentrating their search efforts on north-central Arkansas, with reported sightings in other areas proving fruitless. Hardin, a former police chief from Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving sentences for murder and rape and was featured in the documentary “Devil in the Ozarks.” He was housed in a maximum-security section of the North Central Unit prison, and authorities are investigating whether his job in the kitchen facilitated his escape by providing access to materials for his uniform.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections has released an updated photo rendering of Hardin to aid in his identification. The search for the fugitive continues as authorities work to locate and apprehend him to ensure the safety of the community and bring him back into custody.