Introduction

Grant Hardin, a former police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, has become the subject of national attention following his daring escape from a high-security prison on May 25, 2025. Once a trusted figure in law enforcement, Hardin’s convictions for murder and rape revealed a dark side that shocked the communities he served. His story, including the 1997 rape case featured in the documentary Devil in the Ozarks, highlights the complexities of justice and the challenges of apprehending a fugitive with law enforcement experience. This report provides a comprehensive overview of Hardin’s background, crimes, escape, and the ongoing manhunt, while addressing the mention of a New Orleans jail escape and the absence of a dedicated Wikipedia page.

Background and Career

Grant Hardin held various roles in Arkansas law enforcement before his criminal activities came to light. He served as the police chief of Gateway, a small town near the Arkansas-Missouri border, for approximately four months in early 2016. Prior to this, he worked as a police officer in Fayetteville, Huntsville, and Eureka Springs, and as a constable in Benton County. At the time of his arrest in 2017, he was employed at the Northwest Arkansas Community Correction Center, further embedding him in the criminal justice system. His extensive experience in law enforcement made his subsequent convictions particularly shocking.

Criminal Convictions

Hardin’s criminal record includes two major convictions:

1. Murder of James Appleton (2017):
   • Incident: On February 23, 2017, Hardin shot and killed James Appleton, a 59-year-old water department employee, near Garfield, Arkansas. The shooting occurred while Appleton was seated in his car on Gann Ridge. Hardin admitted to the crime, and witnesses quickly identified him as the assailant.
   • Conviction and Sentencing: On October 16, 2017, Hardin pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Benton County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with an additional 10-year suspended sentence, and waived his right to appeal. During his sentencing, he expressed remorse, stating, “I don’t know how to say it, but I’m sorry,” to Appleton’s family
   • Evidence: The case was bolstered by witness testimonies and the lack of a solid alibi, as Hardin’s wife believed he was working in the yard at the time of the crime.
2. Rape of Amy Harrison (1997):
   • Incident: On November 9, 1997, Hardin raped Amy Harrison, a teacher at Frank Tillery Elementary School in Rogers, Arkansas. The assault occurred on a Sunday morning while Harrison was preparing her classroom, and over 250 people were attending a church service in the school’s cafeteria. Hardin, then a police officer in Eureka Springs, used a gun to intimidate Harrison, wore a stocking cap and sunglasses, and took precautions to avoid leaving evidence, such as not touching surfaces and covering her face
   • DNA Evidence: The case remained unsolved for over 20 years until Hardin’s DNA, collected after his 2017 murder conviction, matched evidence from the rape scene. This breakthrough came when the Arkansas Department of Corrections submitted his DNA to a database, linking him to the cold case
   • Conviction and Sentencing: In February 2019, Hardin pleaded guilty to two counts of rape in Benton County Circuit Court. Judge Robin Green sentenced him to 50 years in prison—25 years for each count—to be served consecutively with his murder sentence 

Prison Escape

On May 25, 2025, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Hardin escaped from the North Central Unit, a high-security prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, where he had been incarcerated since 2017. He executed his escape by wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement attire, allowing him to pass through a controlled entryway, possibly a sally port 

The escape prompted an immediate response from authorities:

• Manhunt: The Arkansas Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and local sheriff’s offices, including the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, are collaborating on a manhunt. Search efforts include canine units, drones, and roadblocks to check vehicles for signs of Hardin
• Challenges: Rainy weather on May 26, 2025, hampered search efforts, but authorities remain optimistic as conditions improve
• Public Warning: Hardin is considered “extremely dangerous,” and the public is urged to avoid approaching him and to contact law enforcement with any information 

As of May 27, 2025, Hardin remains at large, with no reported recapture 

Devil in the Ozarks Documentary

The Investigation Discovery documentary Devil in the Ozarks, released on May 18, 2023, appears to focus on Hardin’s crimes, particularly the 1997 rape of Amy Harrison. The documentary’s description aligns with Hardin’s case: “A brazen sexual assault shocks a small town, but goes unsolved for 20 years, until a nearby murder produces a suspect with matching DNA” 

New Orleans Jail Escape

The query references a “New Orleans jail escape,” which appears to be a separate incident. News reports mention an escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans jail, with some arrests made for aiding the escapees 

However, there is no direct evidence linking this event to Hardin’s escape. The mention in the query may reflect confusion or an assumption of a connection, but available information indicates these are distinct cases.

Wikipedia Reference

The query includes “wiki,” likely referring to Wikipedia. However, there is no dedicated Wikipedia page for Grant Hardin or the Devil in the Ozarks documentary. A search for “Grant Hardin Wikipedia” returned unrelated pages, such as one for Grant Township, Hardin County, Iowa, and another for actress Melora Hardin 

The absence of a Wikipedia page suggests that Hardin’s case, while significant, has not yet been documented in this format, possibly due to its recency or limited public documentation.

Current Status and Implications

As of May 27, 2025, at 10:05 AM WIB, Grant Hardin remains a fugitive. The ongoing manhunt underscores the challenges of recapturing a former law enforcement officer with knowledge of police tactics. His escape raises questions about prison security, particularly how he obtained or created a disguise to bypass controls. The case also highlights the importance of DNA evidence in solving cold cases, as seen in the resolution of the 1997 rape case.

The Devil in the Ozarks documentary serves as a public record of Hardin’s crimes, offering insight into the investigative process and the impact on victims. The lack of a direct connection to the New Orleans jail escape clarifies that Hardin’s case is a distinct event centered in Arkansas.

Table: Timeline of Grant Hardin’s Case

Conclusion

Grant Hardin’s transformation from a trusted police chief to a convicted murderer and rapist, followed by his audacious prison escape, is a chilling narrative of betrayal and justice. The Devil in the Ozarks documentary provides a detailed account of his crimes, particularly the 1997 rape case that went unsolved for decades. As authorities continue their search, the public remains vigilant, hoping for Hardin’s swift recapture to ensure justice for his victims. The mention of a New Orleans jail escape appears unrelated, emphasizing the need to focus on Hardin’s actions in Arkansas.