By Jack Brook and Jeff Martin | Related Press
Convicted killer and recaptured jail escapee Grant Hardin, referred to as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” has been transferred to the Varner SuperMax jail southeast of Little Rock, Arkansas jail authorities introduced Saturday.
After a virtually two-week search within the rugged mountains of northern Arkansas, authorities recaptured Hardin on Friday 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) northwest of the jail from which he escaped. Hardin briefly tried to run from officers when he noticed them strategy, however he was rapidly tackled to the bottom, stated Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas jail system.
Authorities tried to trace Hardin utilizing drones, bloodhounds and a helicopter, however excessive water from heavy rains throughout the search raised the water degree in creeks and streams across the jail. That possible restricted his talents — and in addition these of the searchers — to maneuver by means of the rugged terrain, Champion stated.
“The direction he went, specifically around Moccasin Creek, saw high water due to the abundance of rain the last few weeks, which more than likely limited his options to get around the area,” Champion stated. “Search teams had looked through this area before, but the high water previously limited their ability to fully investigate.”
Residents of the close by city of Calico Rock, like Roger Simons, stated they have been stunned to be taught that Hardin had stayed so near the jail.
“None of us really thought he was still in the area,” stated Simons, an area bartender. “We thought he was long gone — that’s what I would have bet my money on.”
Hardin had been held on the Calico Rock jail since 2017 after pleading responsible to first-degree homicide in a deadly taking pictures. He escaped by impersonating a corrections officer “in dress and manner,” in accordance with a courtroom doc.
A jail officer in one of many guard towers opened a safe gate, permitting him to stroll out of the ability. Authorities say they’re investigating why Hardin’s id was not checked earlier than he was allowed to depart.
Benton County Prosecutor Bryan Sexton, who oversaw Hardin’s convictions for homicide and rape, stated he had been in shut contact with regulation enforcement officers who have been “consistent” with their perception that Hardin remained within the northern Arkansas area.
Hardin is a former police chief within the small city of Gateway close to the Arkansas-Missouri border whose notoriety led to a TV documentary referred to as “Devil in the Ozarks.” Sexton stated his escape had considerably disrupted the lives of trial witnesses and Hardin’s victims, whom he saved up to date on the pursuit for the fugitive.
“Every one of them to a person informed me that they had to make changes in their lives because they had had concerns for their safety,” Sexton stated.
After Hardin’s recapture, “they could get closure in their lives and secondly go back to their normal lives, which had been disrupted the whole time he was out,” Sexton stated.
Cheryl Tillman, the sister of a person shot by Hardin in 2017, advised The Related Press that Hardin’s seize was a “big sigh of relief” for her complete household.
“We don’t have to walk around, turning around all the time, thinking somebody’s on our back,” Tillman stated, emphasizing her appreciation for the officers who helped seize Hardin.
Sexton stated he was extra assured now that Hardin was being despatched to a safer facility.
The Varner Unit, established in 1987, has the capability to accommodate 1,714 inmates. It’s the web site the place former President Invoice Clinton’s gubernatorial chief of workers, a demise penalty opponent, confronted fees for attempting to smuggle a knife and tattoo needles into demise row.
Inside Varner, a particular “supermax” unit homes probably the most high-risk prisoners equivalent to a person who fatally shot a soldier at a navy recruiting station and demise row inmates equivalent to convicted baby rapist and assassin Zachary Holly. Damien Wayne Echols of the West Memphis Three was additionally incarcerated there previous to his launch.
“By reputation, Varner is the most secure prison in the Arkansas system,” Sexton stated. “I think that all things considering, putting him (Hardin) in the most secure facility we can is probably a wise thing to do.”
Initially Revealed: June 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM PDT
