Grant Hardin, a convict featured in an HBO documentary as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” has been on the run since escaping from an Arkansas prison on May 25. The Arkansas Department of Corrections has released an updated photo illustration of the 56-year-old, highlighting changes in his appearance, which may include a short beard and mustache.
Hardin was observed on security video pushing a cart of wooden pallets while wearing a law enforcement-style uniform, a tactic believed to have helped him evade prison guards during his escape from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock. His background includes a brief tenure as police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, in 2016. During this time, Hardin had conflicts with city water department employee James Appleton, leading to local criticism over police pursuits and subsequent costs. After a contentious four months, Hardin resigned.
On February 23, 2017, he fatally shot Appleton, resulting in a 30-year sentence after entering a guilty plea. Additional investigations linked Hardin to a 1997 on-campus rape, for which he faced a 50-year sentence after another guilty plea. Currently, the search for Hardin is concentrated in north-central Arkansas, where his parents live in Garfield.
The reward for information leading to his capture has increased to $25,000, with contributions from both the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service. Hardin is described as a white male, standing 6 feet 2 inches, weighing approximately 259 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with possible sightings or information is urged to contact the FBI or the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
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