Authorities have released an updated image of Grant Hardin, the fugitive Arkansas inmate who escaped from a state prison last week, hoping it will help the public recognize the former police chief as the search intensifies. Hardin, 56, who has been nicknamed the “Devil in the Ozarks,” was serving a decades-long sentence for murder and rape when he fled custody on May 25.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections shared the new composite image on social media Tuesday, showing how Hardin might look after more than a week on the run. The revised image, developed with assistance from the department’s search teams, depicts Hardin with grown-out facial hair and a leaner appearance — adjustments made to reflect the likelihood of limited access to food and the effects of living in hiding.
“Working with our search teams, we took the last headshot we had of Grant Hardin and projected what he might look like after a week on the run,” said Rand Champion, spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, in a statement to CBS News. “This included a week’s worth of hair growth, as well as being slightly slimmer due to the expected limited supply of food available.”
Hardin’s escape from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, has rattled both residents and law enforcement. Investigators believe he managed to flee by impersonating a corrections officer “in dress and manner,” according to a court document. That disguise convinced a prison officer to open a secure gate, inadvertently enabling Hardin to walk out.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections confirmed that the uniform Hardin used was not standard issue for either inmates or staff, raising questions about how he acquired or possibly fabricated it. Officials are investigating whether Hardin had inside assistance in planning his escape.
Since his breakout, Hardin, who was known in Gateway, Arkansas, for his role as the town’s former police chief, has become the subject of an intensive manhunt across north-central Arkansas. The search is being aided by tips from the public, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
The reward for information leading to Hardin’s capture has been raised to $25,000. Of that amount, $20,000 comes from the FBI, with the remaining $5,000 contributed by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Hardin was sentenced in 2017 after being convicted of multiple violent crimes that shocked the small community he once served.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Hardin’s whereabouts to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or to submit a tip online at
Why It Matters: Hardin’s escape not only raises concerns about prison security but also leaves a convicted murderer at large in the community, increasing the risk to public safety. The use of a convincing disguise underscores the challenges corrections officials face in preventing such incidents. The release of a revised image aims to help the public assist in capturing him swiftly, before he can potentially harm others or evade justice.
