Authorities reveal updated visuals of Grant Hardin, the escapee known as ‘Devil in the Ozarks.’
Ten days have passed since the escape of Grant Hardin, a former police chief from Arkansas known infamously as the “Devil in the Ozarks.” Authorities are now cautioning that it is likely Hardin has altered his appearance since eluding custody. The Arkansas Department of Corrections recently issued a new image of Hardin featuring a short beard and mustache, which significantly diverges from the earlier, clean-shaven and bald photo originally circulated by law enforcement.
In a press statement, the department noted that given the considerable time that has elapsed since Hardin’s escape from the North Central Unit on May 25, the updated headshot could provide a more accurate representation of his current appearance. Alongside this warning, authorities announced a total reward of ,000 for any information leading to Hardin’s capture. This sum includes a ,000 reward from the FBI and an additional ,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service.
Grant Hardin formerly held the position of police chief in Gateway, a modest community adjacent to the Arkansas-Missouri border. At the time of his escape, he was serving lengthy sentences for serious crimes, including murder and rape. Hardin pleaded guilty in October 2017 to first-degree murder for the killing of James Appleton, a 57-year-old local water department employee. Appleton was shot in the head on February 23, 2017, and his body was discovered shortly thereafter in an abandoned vehicle.
The motive behind Appleton’s murder was never disclosed, ultimately leading to Hardin receiving a 30-year prison sentence. In a subsequent legal development the following year, Hardin faced charges related to a 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher. This charge emerged from DNA evidence collected after his murder conviction, leading Hardin to plead guilty to two counts of rape and receive consecutive 25-year sentences.
Details from an arrest affidavit revealed that Hardin escaped by discarding his prison uniform and cleverly impersonating a corrections officer, which facilitated his exit from the secure facility. Surveillance footage allegedly captured him wheeling a cart laden with wooden pallets while donning a law enforcement-style outfit.
A focused manhunt is currently underway in north central Arkansas as authorities intensify their efforts to locate Hardin. The escape of this high-profile inmate has raised significant public concern and led to an urgent response from law enforcement agencies.
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