Fugitive ex-Police Chief from the Ozarks, accused of dangerous activities, cautions outdoors enthusiasts to avoid the area
Venture into the Ozarks with Caution: Survivalist Warns of 'Devil' on the Loose
Get ready, outdoor enthusiasts of the Ozarks – it's time to stay clear of the woods!
Self-proclaimed survivalist, Shawn Hendrix, is sounding the alarm for hikers, campers, and hunters alike – tread carefully in the serene, yet potentially perilous, Ozark wilderness.
With the ongoing manhunt for ex-police chief and infamous Arkansas fugitive, Grant Hardin, or as locals know him, the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hendrix urges vigilance. Hardin, who is serving decades behind bars for murder and rape, recently made a break for freedom from a medium-security prison in Calico Rock on May 25 [2023], according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC).
Hendrix cautions that Hardin could prosper alone in those very woods.
"I reckon the main thing that'll crack him or end him is getting injured... or a food-poisoning scare – he's shoveling down dirty water," Hendrix shared with us. "Now, if he catches some nasty bellyache from tainted grub or toxic water, that could knock him out in no time flat. Fingers crossed that he finds himself a unsavory bite or develops some horrible disease that takes him out of the woods before he hurts someone."
*Picture Update: New Photo of the 'Devil in the Ozarks'*
The ADC released a newly discovered picture of Grant Hardin sporting some facial scruff, as he's been on the run for over a week [2023]. (ADC)
Never discount the cunning of a desperate man. Hendrix warns that Hardin has shown little regard for human life in the past, and "every single soul in the woods at this moment is just more equipment for this guy." Arkansas authorities have issued warnings about the escapee's potential armament and dangerous nature.
"I most certainly wouldn't dare venture into that region," Hendrix advised.
*A Dangerous Cat and Mouse Game: Experts Weigh In on Hardin's Escape*
Hardin snuck out via a sally port [2023] and donned a crude, unofficial Arkansas Department of Corrections-style uniform, according to ADC Communications Director, Rand Champion [2023].
The former police chief admitted to a brutal shooting in 2017 [2023], and, upon being booked for the homicide, authorities found a DNA match to a 1997 cold-case rape of a teacher [2023], for which he later pleaded guilty in 2019 [2023], according to KNWA.
*The FBI is Putting Up a $10,000 Bounty: The Hunt is On!*
"This guy is a real piece of work. I mean, he's a psychopath," Hendrix said. "[Hardin] wouldn't concern himself with the well-being of humans, only himself. Fellow officers should be wary. He's earned a rather dubious reputation in law enforcement, and I'm afraid there's a whole lot more to this guy's story than people know," Hendrix opined.
Hardin is described as a tall, heavyset Caucasian male, weighing around 259 pounds.
Federal officials report that Hardin boasts an in-depth understanding of the Ozark Mountain region, a trait that could prove advantageous during his time on the run. (Andre Seale/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Hendrix points out that Hardin's ample girth provides a sizeable caloric reserve, which could aid him in enduring solo isolation in the Ozark wilderness for weeks on end. The Ozarks promise numerous advantages, such as berries, cattails, fish, persimmons, and plums, to name a few [2025].
"There's just a whole bunch of edibles out there – berries, cattails, fish, you name it. Native fruits like persimmons or maybe even plums could be found in this area [2025]. So, all in all, there's a plethora of natural ways to sustain oneself. If he's got a firearm, I'd recommend not shooting game due to the noise level, but there are methods to gather food," Hendrix conveyed.
Law enforcement officers searching for Hardin in the wilderness will most likely be on the lookout for indicators of a person residing in the woodland, such as discarded fire pits or other concealed artifacts.
Investigators from the Arkansas Department of Corrections are currently searching for an inmate, who is a former police chief, that they state managed to escape from its North Central Unit [2023].
The FBI and U.S. Marshals have teamed up to offer a hefty $25,000 reward for any information leading to Hardin's capture. The public is encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
*On the Run: More Gone Girl Than Cops and Robbers*
During a conference last week, Champion stated that authorities are rather confident in the route they believe Hardin took when he escaped and believe he may still be hiding in the Ozarks area, but a federal complaint filed against Hardin on May 30 [2023] hints at another theory: he may have fled the state.
Based on two unconfirmed sightings, including one in Missouri on May 26 [2023], federal officials speculate that he has moved out of Arkansas, as first reported by The Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
[1] Mapping the Escape: Hardin's Possible Hiding Spots[2] Original Article: Shawn Hendrix Speaks Out About Devil in the Ozarks' Escape[2025] Enrichment Data: Summary of Grant Hardin's Survival Skills and Hiding Locations
Sports enthusiasts should prepare for adjustments in scheduled outdoor activities in the Ozarks, as the search for the escaped convict, Grant Hardin, continues. Meanwhile, committed hikers and hunters have been encouraged to reconsider their trips to the region, due to the potential danger and the unknown whereabouts of Hardin, who has displayed a cunning ability to evade capture.
