Arkansas on High Alert After Escape of Convicted Killer Dubbed ‘Devil in the Ozarks’

Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” has escaped from Arkansas’s Calico Rock prison, leaving communities across the region alarmed. Hardin, convicted in 2017 of murdering James Appleton and previously sentenced for a 1997 rape, fled while disguised in a makeshift law enforcement outfit. Authorities say the uniform wasn’t standard issue, raising serious security concerns. The escape has deeply unsettled victims’ families, especially those who testified against Hardin. Search teams are scouring the rugged Ozark terrain using dogs, helicopters, and drones, though recent rain has complicated efforts. Law enforcement warns residents to secure homes and report suspicious activity. Hardin’s notoriety and prior media exposure—he was the subject of a 2023 documentary—add to the urgency. Experts suggest that despite the rural landscape, Hardin may be easily recognized by locals, increasing the chances of his recapture. Still, the incident has revived trauma for victims’ families and exposed potential gaps in prison security procedures.

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Source: AP News