Arkansas Manhunt: Killer & Rapist Caught | US Crime News
- Grant Hardin, the convicted killer and rapist dubbed the “Devil in the Ozarks,” is back in custody.
- The Izard County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Hardin’s identity via fingerprinting.
- Hardin escaped May 25 by dressing and acting like a corrections officer, according to court documents.
After a 13-day hunt, authorities have apprehended Grant Hardin, the “Devil in the Ozarks,” a convicted killer and rapist, following his escape from an Arkansas prison. The search, which employed bloodhounds, drones, and a U.S. Border Patrol team specializing in the rugged Ozark terrain,finally concluded with Hardin’s capture.This marks the end of a dramatic manhunt that began may 25 when Hardin, a former police chief, impersonated a corrections officer to flee. News Directory 3 provides continuous coverage of this developing story. Discover what’s next as the investigation into the security lapse unfolds and prison protocols are assessed.
“Devil in the Ozarks” Recaptured after Prison Escape
Updated June 7, 2025
Grant Hardin, the convicted killer and rapist dubbed the “Devil in the Ozarks,” is back in custody. Authorities captured him Friday, about 1.5 miles northwest of the Calico Rock prison he escaped from, ending a 13-day manhunt through the ozark Mountains.
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Hardin’s identity via fingerprinting. Hardin, a former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, was serving time for murder and rape. His crimes were profiled in the 2023 documentary, “Devil in the Ozarks.”
Hardin escaped May 25 by dressing and acting like a corrections officer, according to court documents. A guard tower officer opened a secure gate, allowing Hardin to walk out.Rand Champion, a state prison system spokesperson, called the lack of verification a “lapse” under examination.
The search for Hardin involved bloodhounds,officers on horseback,drones,and helicopters. A specialized U.S. Border Patrol team (BORTAC) joined the effort, bringing expertise in navigating the Ozarks’ rugged terrain, thick forests, and cave networks.
Hardin pleaded guilty in 2017 to the frist-degree murder of James Appleton, 59, who was shot in the head near Garfield. He received a 30-year sentence. Hardin’s DNA also linked him to the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, for which he received a 50-year sentence.
What’s next
The arkansas prison system is reviewing security protocols to prevent future escapes. The investigation into the “lapse” that allowed Hardin to escape is ongoing.