Escaped Killer Re-Captured After Two Weeks on the Run

The man known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” Grant Hardin, spent months preparing for his daring escape from an Arkansas prison, according to a report released by prison officials. Hardin, a 56-year-old former police officer, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25 by disguising himself in a makeshift police uniform he assembled over six months using items from the prison’s kitchen and his work detail. He also crafted a fake badge from an old tin lid and concealed supplies in a trash can to avoid detection.

Hardin’s escape prompted a two-week manhunt. During his time on the loose, he expressed plans to hide in the woods for about six months, surviving on insects, berries, bird eggs, and water he distilled using a device taken from the prison. Authorities found him just two miles from the facility, where he was quickly re-arrested and returned to custody. At the time of capture, he was living under severe conditions, having shed nearly all possessions to sustain himself in the wild.

He was reportedly able to exit the prison without detection after convincing staff to open the gate, with some officials admitting lapses that facilitated his escape. Two prison employees were promptly dismissed—one for negligence in monitoring him and another for allowing him to leave without verification. Despite claiming he was not aided by others, the review suggests oversight lapses made his escape feasible.

After his recapture, the prison system made security adjustments, including removing electric locks on gates to prevent unchecked exits, and increasing surveillance with extra cameras and more rigorous contraband searches. Hardin denies involvement of any accomplices and has pleaded not guilty to escape charges, with a trial scheduled for November.

Hardin is serving an 80-year sentence for the 1997 crimes involving the murder, rape, and kidnapping of an elementary school teacher. His case gained attention through the documentary “Devil in the Ozarks,” and DNA evidence linked him to the cold case in 2017, ultimately leading to his arrest and conviction.