He was law enforcement. He was a predator. He vanished without a trace — until now.

After nearly two weeks on the run, Grant Hardin, a former Arkansas police chief turned convicted rapist and murderer, has finally been captured — ending a manhunt that left small towns across the Ozarks paralyzed in fear.

🏃‍♂️ How Did He Escape in the First Place?

On May 25, Hardin pulled off a Hollywood-style prison break from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas — disguised as a law enforcement officer. The escape triggered a massive multi-agency search involving the FBI, U.S. Marshals, State Police, and even Border Patrol.

Nicknamed the “Devil of the Ozarks”, Hardin’s flight from justice terrified communities already haunted by his crimes.

“This guy is just so evil,” said survivalist Shawn Hendrix. “He’s law-enforcement trained and a full-blown sociopath.”

👣 Found Just 1.5 Miles From Prison

Despite fears that he had crossed state lines into Missouri, Hardin never left the area. Authorities now confirm he was hiding in the dense woods of the Ozark Mountains, near Moccasin Creek — just 1.5 miles from where he escaped.

Tracking dogs picked up his scent on June 6, and at 3:45 PM, deputies surrounded him and made the arrest without incident.

“The public is no longer in danger,” police said.

🩸 A Twisted Double Life

Hardin once wore a badge — a police chief trusted to protect. But behind that image was a chilling truth.

  • In 2017, he murdered city worker James Appleton.
  • He was also linked to a 1997 cold case involving the rape of a teacher during a church service.

He was sentenced to 50 years for rape and 30 years for murder — but questions still loom over how he ever became a cop in the first place.

🎥 Streaming Now: The True Crime That Predicted It All

His shocking double life was exposed in the hit true crime documentary “Devil of the Ozarks”, which aired just two years before his escape. The film details his crimes, the justice system failures, and the small-town trust he shattered.

Watch it now on Max, Hulu, or Investigation Discovery.

⚖️ Back Behind Bars — But At What Cost?

The capture of Grant Hardin has brought temporary relief — but the outrage isn’t over. How did a violent predator wearing a badge slip through the cracks for so long? And how was he able to walk out of prison pretending to be one of the good guys?

One thing’s for sure:
Arkansas — and America — won’t forget the Devil of the Ozarks.