Arkansas Mayor Reacts to Murderer Grant Hardin Prison Escape

Grant Hardin, former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, who was convicted of the 2017 murder of James Appleton and a linked rape case, escaped from the North Central Unit prison on May 25 by impersonating a corrections officer and wearing a makeshift law enforcement uniform. The escape has prompted a large-scale manhunt involving canines, drones, and helicopters in the rugged, rain-soaked terrain of the Ozark Mountains. Cheryl Tillman, Gateway's mayor and sister of Appleton, expressed shock and fear for the community's safety, highlighting Hardin's violent past and history of threatening behavior. Despite serving lengthy sentences totaling 80 years, Hardin's motives remain unclear, leaving the community and investigators seeking answers. The city has coordinated with neighboring municipalities to protect residents and family members amid concerns Hardin might return to Gateway. Authorities continue their search, facing challenges due to the prison's remote location and recent weather conditions.