Real-Life ‘Devil of the Ozarks’ Grant Hardin Taken Into Custody Following Extensive Search
After nearly two weeks on the run, Grant Hardin, the former Arkansas police chief convicted of rape and murder, has been captured by authorities. The manhunt, which spanned state lines and gripped communities across the Ozarks, came to an end on Friday, June 6th, 2025, when Hardin was apprehended just 1.5 miles from the medium-security prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, from which he escaped.
Escape from Calico Rock: A Former Officer Turns Fugitive
Hardin, who earned the chilling nickname “Devil of the Ozarks,” escaped from the North Central Unit on May 25 by impersonating a law enforcement officer. His escape triggered a statewide manhunt involving Arkansas State Police, the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and even U.S. Border Patrol.
Despite initial reports placing him as far as southern Missouri, investigators now confirm that Hardin never traveled far. Instead, he was hiding out in the dense, rugged terrain of the Ozark Mountains, near Moccasin Creek, a mere stone’s throw from the prison grounds.
🐾 How Authorities Caught Him
According to a statement from the Stone County Sheriff’s Department, tracking dogs picked up Hardin’s scent on Friday afternoon. By 3:45 PM, Izard County deputies had him surrounded and placed him under arrest without incident.
“As of June 6th, at approximately 3:45 PM, escaped inmate Grant Hardin has been apprehended, and the public is no longer in danger,” authorities confirmed.
A Dark and Twisted History
Hardin’s criminal past is both disturbing and complex — and has drawn nationwide attention.
Once a police chief in the small town of Gateway, Arkansas, Hardin held the position for only four months before being removed for his aggressive behavior. But that was just the beginning of a chilling saga.
In 2017, a city worker named James Appleton was found murdered in his truck. Witnesses identified Hardin as the shooter. During the investigation, Hardin was also linked to a 1997 cold case involving the rape of a teacher during a church service.
He was eventually sentenced to 50 years for rape and 30 years for murder.
The “Devil of the Ozarks” Documentary
Hardin’s life and crimes became the subject of a true crime documentary titled “Devil of the Ozarks,” which aired two years before his escape. The film explores Hardin’s disturbing history and the failures that allowed him to serve in law enforcement for nearly three decades.
The documentary is currently available for streaming on Max, Hulu, and the Investigation Discovery (ID) app.
Public Outrage and Reaction
Survivalist and Arkansas native Shawn Hendrix shared chilling words after Hardin’s escape:
“This guy is just so evil. He’s a sociopath… law-enforcement trained, dangerous, and he should have never been out.”
Many echoed those concerns online, questioning how a man with Hardin’s background ever rose through police ranks, and how such an escape could happen from a secured facility.
Justice Catches Up — But Questions Remain
While Grant Hardin is finally back in custody, many questions remain. How was his escape possible? Could more have been done to prevent it? And how many more stories like his are waiting to be uncovered?
What’s certain is this: the man known as the “Devil of the Ozarks” is no longer free — and a community once paralyzed by fear can finally exhale.
