Survivalists Caution Outdoor Enthusiasts in the Ozarks
Survivalists are advising hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to steer clear of the Ozarks in Arkansas. It’s a place I’m definitely avoiding right now.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections has indicated that Sean Hendrix is attempting to find prison escapees, including former police chief Grant Hardin, who is 56.
Hardin, infamously nicknamed “The Devil of the Ozarks,” has spent years behind bars for serious crimes, including murder and rape.
“I think, you know, he’s more likely to be caught by injury or, I don’t know, food poisoning. But if he picks up something like dysentery, that could really change things fast. I just hope he drinks some bad water or eats something that doesn’t agree with him,” Hendrix expressed. His biggest concern? A hiker or camper encountering Hardin in the wild.
Hardin recently made his escape from a medium-security prison at Calico Rock on May 25, dressing in what appeared to be a makeshift ADC uniform. However, authorities clarified that this attire was not official.
The ex-police chief admitted guilt for a fatal incident in 2017, where he shot a man in his work truck. After submitting a DNA sample, it was revealed he was linked to a 1997 unsolved rape case, to which he also pleaded guilty in 2019.
“This guy is just pure evil. He’s a sociopath,” Hendrix said. “I mean, he’s only looking out for himself. With his law enforcement background and his history of trouble, there’s more to this guy than meets the eye—27 years as an officer? Yeah, I’m not eager to run into him.”
Hardin is described as a 6-foot tall, 259-pound white man.
Hendrix mentioned that Hardin’s weight suggests he could survive for weeks in the dense forests of the Ozarks thanks to natural resources like food and water. “There are plenty of wild berries, fish, and possibly even edible fruits around. If he manages to snag a gun, who knows how he might hunt for food?” he cautioned. “Given his size, he probably has enough to sustain him for quite a while.”
Authorities looking for Hardin are on the lookout for signs of someone living in the woods, like burnt fires or hidden shelters.
The FBI and U.S. Marshals are offering a $25,000 reward for any information leading to Hardin’s capture. They urge anyone with information to call 1-800-Call-FBI or submit tips online.
During a recent press conference, Champion expressed some confidence in Hardin’s likely escape route, suggesting that he may still be in the Ozarks. However, a federal complaint filed against him hints at another possibility: he might have left the state.
Following unconfirmed sightings, including one in Missouri the day after his escape, federal officials now think he may no longer be in Arkansas.
In the criminal complaint, it was noted that Hardin is well-acquainted with the Ozark Mountains, which provides him with numerous hiding spots among the caves and rugged terrain.
