Arkansas releases new image of escaped inmate Grant Hardin
Share this @internewscast.com

Authorities have said Hardin escaped by donning an outfit designed to look like a law enforcement uniform.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Authorities in Arkansas on Tuesday unveiled a photo rendering of a convicted murderer and former police chief, nicknamed the “Devil in the Ozarks,” as the quest for the escaped inmate stretched into its second week.

The new image was released as state legislators raised concerns about Hardin’s escape and said they planned to conduct a review of how it occurred.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections released the image of Grant Hardin, 56, illustrating how he might appear after fleeing from the Calico Rock prison on May 25. The rendering portrays Hardin with some hair on his head and facial hair.


Authorities have said Hardin escaped by donning an outfit designed to look like a law enforcement uniform.

Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the department, said efforts are concentrated on the north-central Arkansas region where the prison is situated. Although tips about possible sightings of Hardin have surfaced from different areas, none have been confirmed so far, Champion stated.

Hardin, a former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape. He was the subject of the TV documentary “Devil in the Ozarks.”

Hardin was housed in a maximum-security wing of the primarily medium security prison, formally known as the North Central Unit. Officials are investigating whether a job Hardin held in the kitchen aided in his escape, including whether it gave him access to materials he could have used to fashion his makeshift uniform.

The co-chairs of a legislative subcommittee overseeing the prison system told the head of the state Board of Corrections that they planned to conduct a review of any “inadequacies or deviations” from security protocols that allowed Hardin to escape.

Area legislators have raised questions about why Hardin was being held at the Calico Rock facility.

The letter was sent Monday by Republican Rep. Howard Beaty and Sen. Matt McKee to Benny Magness, who heads the state board.

“Given Hardin’s background as a former law enforcement officer and his history of working for multiple law enforcement agencies, it is evident that he possesses knowledge and skills that enabled him to exploit weaknesses in our security protocols,” the lawmakers wrote. “His manipulation of the system by wearing a disguise resembling a uniform is disturbing and speaks to a broader system failure.”

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Crystal Mangum, who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of rape, freed after killing boyfriend

Crystal Mangum, known for the Duke lacrosse case, released following conviction for boyfriend’s death

Crystal Mangum, once an exotic dancer who gained notoriety for falsely accusing…
Ukraine targets 50,000 Russian casualties a month as war enters fifth year

Ukraine Aims to Inflict 50,000 Russian Casualties Monthly as Conflict Enters Fifth Year

PAVLOHRAD, Ukraine — In the fourth year of Russia’s extensive invasion, Ukraine…
Tour guide arrested after drawing stick figure on 4,000-year-old pyramid

Tour Guide Detained for Sketching on Ancient Pyramid

An Egyptian tour guide has been taken into custody following allegations that…
California serial child rapist granted parole admitted having pedophilic fantasies as recently as 2021

Outrage Erupts as California Frees Serial Child Rapist with Recent Pedophilic Fantasies

A convicted child rapist from California, who faced widespread public outcry over…
Elgin woman frustrated by Amazon deliveries, receiving packages she didn't order

Elgin Resident Voices Concerns Over Unsolicited Amazon Deliveries

CHICAGO (WLS) — Picture the bafflement of receiving a myriad of unexpected…
Pedestrian Shanna White killed in Winthrop Harbor hit-and-run on Sheridan Road, police say; daughter offers reward in case

Reward Offered After Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of Shanna White in Winthrop Harbor

A tragic hit-and-run incident in Winthrop Harbor resulted in the death of…
ICE arrests illegal immigrant training as Pennsylvania corrections officer suspected of rape

ICE Detains Pennsylvania Corrections Officer Trainee Accused of Rape and Immigration Violations

An undocumented immigrant in Pennsylvania, who was in training to become a…
Trump Directs Federal Agencies to 'Cease' Use of Anthropic Technology

Trump Orders Federal Agencies to Halt Use of Controversial Anthropic Technology: What You Need to Know

President Donald Trump has issued an order for federal agencies to “IMMEDIATELY…
Feds make 25 more arrests in anti-ICE Minnesota church invasion

Federal Authorities Arrest 25 in Connection to Anti-ICE Demonstration at Minnesota Church

Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced the arrest of 25 individuals in…
Muhammad Thomas charged in Little Village, Chicago shooting deaths of Faustino Alamo Dominguez, Luis Alamo near Joyeria Angelos

Chicago Shooting Tragedy: Muhammad Thomas Faces Charges in Fatal Little Village Incident Near Joyeria Angelos

A tragic incident that shook the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago last…
US positions F-22 stealth fighters in Israel, puts 'almost any target in Iran at risk'

US Deploys F-22 Stealth Fighters to Israel, Heightening Tensions with Iran by Expanding Target Reach

In a move that underscores the growing tension with Iran, the Trump…
Ex-nonprofit boss allegedly swiped $1.2M meant for homeless programs to fund lavish lifestyle, DA says

Former Nonprofit CEO Accused of Embezzling $1.2M from Homeless Funds for Personal Luxury

The leader of a city-funded nonprofit in San Francisco is accused of…