Notorious Fugitive Known as 'Devil in the Ozarks' Apprehended Following Intensive Manhunt Involving Several Law Enforcement Agencies
Killer on the Loose: Capture of Escapee Grant Hardin
Private investigator Toby Braun tells 'Fox & Friends' that ex-cop and fugitive Grant Hardin, notorious as the "Devil in the Ozarks," has a grim future ahead as the FBI offers a reward for information on the former police chief turned prison escapee.
Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist who sparked a multi-agency manhunt after fleeing custody last month, has finally been apprehended.
Notorious for his violent and criminal past, Hardin was captured this afternoon, approximately 1.5 miles north-northwest of the North Central Unit prison facility from which he escaped on May 25. Izard County Sheriff's Office confirmed his identity through fingerprint analysis.
Hardin was taken into custody without incident, bringing an end to a weeks-long manhunt that had drawn in local law enforcement, state police, federal agencies, and elite tactical units. The capture of the fugitive came after authorities focused their search in the rugged, remote terrain surrounding the prison grounds.
*NABBED - DANGEROUS 'DEVIL IN THE OZARKS' FINALLY CAUGHT AFTER 13-DAY MANHUNT*
During his escape, Hardin utilized a makeshift uniform mimicking that of law enforcement. This misleading disguise was noted by Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC) communications director Rand Champion.
Officials have yet to release further details regarding Hardin's capture or whether he received any outside assistance during his escape. Investigations into the security breach remain ongoing.
A Violent Past
Hardin, 56, is serving an 80-year sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton and a previously unsolved 1997 rape case. Known for his ruthless tendencies, Hardin's life and crimes were the subject of the HBO documentary "Devil in the Ozarks" in 2023[2][3][4].
From Police Chief to Fugitive
Hardin's escape marked a dramatic shift from his role as a law enforcement officer to one on the run. His criminal past and violent tendencies made residents wary and fearful during the manhunt[3][4].
*COMMUNITY BREATHES A SIGH OF RELIEF - ARKANSAS'S 'DEVIL IN THE OZARKS' IS BACK IN CUSTODY*
In a statement, the Izard County Sheriff's Office thanked the public and the law enforcement community for their ongoing support during the manhunt.
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- The capture of Grant Hardin, the notorious fugitive known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," has been reported, marking the end of a 13-day manhunt following his escape from the North Central Unit prison facility.
- Amid the relief that Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist, is back in custody, the world news arena vibrantly covers the political ramifications and investigations into the security breach that enabled his escape. The ongoing efforts to ensure prison security, seeking justice, and preventing future escapes remain a pressing concern in the general-news circuit, intertwined with crime-and-justice discussions.
