Calico Rock, AR – The search for Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted murderer and rapist known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” continues into its second week following his daring escape from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, on May 25, 2025. Authorities from local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals, are intensifying efforts to locate the fugitive, who remains at large in the rugged Ozark Mountains.
The Escape
Grant Hardin, 56, escaped the medium-security North Central Unit by impersonating a corrections officer, using a makeshift uniform to deceive a guard who opened a secure gate. Surveillance footage captured Hardin at approximately 2:55 p.m., pushing a loaded dolly while dressed in an outfit designed to mimic law enforcement attire. The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) confirmed the uniform was not official, raising questions about how Hardin acquired or crafted it. His background as a former police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, and prior roles in law enforcement in Fayetteville, Huntsville, and Eureka Springs likely aided his calculated escape. An ongoing investigation is exploring whether Hardin’s job in the prison kitchen provided access to materials used in his disguise.
The Manhunt
The search, now in its tenth day as of June 4, 2025, is focused on north-central Arkansas, particularly the rocky terrain around Calico Rock. Authorities are using bloodhounds, drones, helicopters, ATVs, and horseback units to navigate the area’s dense forests, abandoned cabins, and extensive cave systems, which include nearly 2,000 documented caves in northern Arkansas. Heavy rains from May 25 to May 27 disrupted early tracking efforts, causing bloodhounds to lose Hardin’s scent after less than a quarter mile. Despite this setback, officials remain confident he is still in the region, citing the lack of verifiable evidence suggesting he has left. The FBI has offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to Hardin’s capture, and authorities are analyzing cell tower data within a five-mile radius of the prison from May 24 to May 29 to trace his movements.
Hardin’s Background and Crimes
Hardin, once a police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving an 80-year sentence for heinous crimes. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of James Appleton, a 59-year-old Gateway water department employee found shot in the head inside his work truck. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years for the murder. His DNA, entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System during his incarceration, linked him to the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas, resulting in an additional 50-year sentence. His crimes were the focus of a 2023 documentary, Devil in the Ozarks, which detailed the two-decade investigation into the rape case. Former Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith described Hardin as a “sociopath,” and Cheryl Tillman, Appleton’s sister and Gateway’s mayor, called him “evil” and a danger to society.
Community Impact and Challenges
The escape has reignited fear and pain for victims’ families and residents in north-central Arkansas. Cheryl Tillman expressed alarm, noting that Hardin saw her and other family members during his trial, raising concerns about potential retaliation. Locals, familiar with Hardin’s knowledge of the Ozarks’ terrain and cave systems, fear his ability to evade capture. Experts note that his law enforcement experience gives him an edge, as he understands police tactics and may avoid common mistakes like contacting relatives. The region’s rugged landscape, likened to the Appalachian Mountains where fugitive Eric Rudolph evaded capture for years, poses significant challenges for search teams.
Ongoing Efforts and Public Safety
The ADC, Stone County Sheriff’s Office, Izard County Sheriff’s Office, and federal agencies are following leads, including a dismissed tip from May 29 about a sighting in Moody, Missouri, 35 miles north of Calico Rock. On June 3, the ADC released a photo rendering of Hardin with facial hair, reflecting how he might look after ten days on the run. State legislators are reviewing security protocols at the North Central Unit, questioning why Hardin, a high-risk inmate, was housed in a medium-security facility and allowed kitchen duties. Residents are urged to lock homes and vehicles, stay vigilant, and report suspicious activity to 911 or the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
Call to Action
As the manhunt continues, authorities emphasize that Hardin is considered extremely dangerous. “He’s a sociopath,” said former prosecutor Nathan Smith, echoing sentiments from the community. The ADC and FBI encourage anyone with information to come forward, as even small tips could lead to Hardin’s capture. For updates or to report information, contact the FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov. The people of Arkansas remain on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to this high-stakes search in the heart of the Ozarks.
