Convicted Murderer Captured After Escape

Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist, has been apprehended after weeks on the run following his escape from prison.

The Izard County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hardin, known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” was found about 1.5 miles north-northwest of the North Central Unit prison where he broke free on May 25.

Reports indicate that Hardin looked malnourished at the time of his capture.

The Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC) mentioned that a coordinated effort involving local law enforcement, state police, federal agencies, and specialized tactical teams focused their search in the nearby areas around the prison.

Tracking dogs caught a scent, leading to Hardin’s capture shortly thereafter.

“Thanks to local, state, and federal law enforcement’s diligence, Arkansans can feel relieved. Violent criminal Grant Hardin is back in custody,” said Governor Sarah Sanders. “I extend my gratitude to all involved and particularly to the Trump administration and Secretary Kristi Noem, whose Border Patrol team played a crucial role in the hunt.”

Hardin, who is 56, was serving an 80-year sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton and was also linked to an unsolved rape case from 1997.

He escaped by slipping through a sally port while wearing a makeshift ADC-style uniform, though the ADC communications director clarified that the attire was not official.

“I’m truly thankful for all the devoted law enforcement agencies that dedicated countless hours to this search,” stated Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace. “Their efforts, both day and night, were invaluable in bringing this situation to a safe conclusion.”

The Izard County Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation for the public and law enforcement’s continued support throughout the manhunt.

So far, they haven’t disclosed whether Hardin had any outside help during his escape.