Arkansas Manhunt: New Photo of Escaped 'Devil in the Ozarks' Grant Hardin Released

In a chilling update from Arkansas, the Department of Corrections has released a new photo of Grant Hardin, the notorious former police chief who escaped from a medium-security prison in Calico Rock on May 25. Dubbed the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin, 56, has been on the run for weeks, triggering a massive manhunt across the rugged north central region of the state.

Hardin, once the head of the Gateway Police Department, was serving a decades-long sentence for heinous crimes including murder and rape. His escape from the North Central Unit has left authorities scrambling, with the latest image showing him sporting facial hair—a possible clue to his current appearance. The urgency to apprehend him is palpable, as officials warn that he remains a highly dangerous individual who could pose a severe threat to public safety.

The FBI and U.S. Marshals have pooled a substantial $25,000 reward for information leading to his capture, urging the public to stay vigilant and report any sightings. Hardin has known connections to areas like Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island, and Huntsville, which are now under intense scrutiny. His escape, executed in less than 30 minutes through a sally port, reveals a calculated boldness—especially chilling given his past as a law enforcement officer.

Hardin’s dark history includes a guilty plea to the 2017 murder of a city water employee, James Appleton, and a cold case rape from 1997, uncovered through a DNA match. As the search intensifies, authorities are confident they’re closing in on his trail, yet the specter of his potential to commit further crimes looms large over Arkansas.