Manhunt Continues for Escaped Arkansas Inmate Across Counties

Grant Hardin, a former police chief convicted of murder and rape, remains on the run after escaping from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, on May 25 by impersonating a corrections officer. Law enforcement agencies, including state, federal, and local authorities, have been actively searching for Hardin, following multiple leads and reported sightings in Arkansas and Missouri, although none have yet been confirmed. Hardin was serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and additional sentences for rape, with a complex criminal history that includes his conviction for the 1997 rape of a schoolteacher, a case detailed in the HBO Max documentary "Devil in the Ozarks." The escape involved Hardin wearing a makeshift uniform to deceive prison staff into allowing him to exit through a secure gate. Authorities continue to investigate the materials used in the disguise and urge the public to remain vigilant while the search intensifies. The manhunt has spanned multiple days and jurisdictions, underscoring the seriousness of Hardin's crimes and the risks posed by his escape.