Convicted killer and infamous prison escapee Grant Hardin, also known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” has been transferred to the Varner SuperMax prison southeast of Little Rock, Arkansas, according to prison authorities.
After a nearly two-week search in the rugged mountains of northern Arkansas, Hardin was recaptured on Friday just 1.5 miles northwest of the prison from which he had escaped. Despite attempting to flee when officers approached him, Hardin was quickly apprehended and taken back into custody, said Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system.
During the search for Hardin, authorities utilized drones, bloodhounds, and a helicopter, but the high water levels in creeks and streams due to heavy rainfall hampered their efforts to track him down. The abundance of rain in the area limited both Hardin’s movements and the search team’s ability to thoroughly investigate the terrain.
Residents of the nearby town of Calico Rock expressed surprise that Hardin had remained so close to the prison, with one local bartender, Roger Simons, remarking that they had assumed he had fled the area entirely.
Hardin had been serving time at the Calico Rock prison since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. His escape involved impersonating a corrections officer, allowing him to walk out of the facility unchallenged. Authorities are currently investigating why his identity was not verified before he was allowed to leave.
Benton County Prosecutor Bryan Sexton, who oversaw Hardin’s convictions for murder and rape, stated that law enforcement officials were consistent in their belief that Hardin had remained in the northern Arkansas region. Hardin, a former police chief in the town of Gateway, had gained notoriety that was featured in a TV documentary titled “Devil in the Ozarks.”
Following Hardin’s recapture, Sexton noted that the fugitive’s escape had disrupted the lives of trial witnesses and his victims, who had expressed concerns for their safety while he was at large. With his capture, they could finally find closure and return to their normal lives.
Cheryl Tillman, the sister of a man shot by Hardin in 2017, expressed relief at his capture, stating that her family no longer had to live in fear. Sexton added that he was reassured by Hardin’s transfer to the Varner SuperMax prison, known for its high level of security.
The Varner Unit, where Hardin is now housed, has the capacity to accommodate 1,714 inmates. It includes a special “supermax” unit for high-risk prisoners, such as those convicted of violent crimes like murder and rape. The facility is renowned for its tight security measures and houses notorious criminals, including death row inmates like Zachary Holly and Damien Wayne Echols of the West Memphis Three.
Sexton emphasized the importance of placing Hardin in a secure facility like Varner, stating that it was a wise decision given the circumstances. Varner’s reputation as the most secure prison in the Arkansas system makes it an ideal location for housing dangerous offenders like Hardin.
