Grant Hardin, the former police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, who was imprisoned for murder and rape, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25, causing widespread anxiety in the small town. Hardin, 56, was serving an 80-year sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton, the brother of the town’s mayor, Cheryl Tillman, and for a 1997 rape. After his escape, Tillman expressed heightened vigilance among residents, urging them to stay alert and secure.
Described by Tillman as “arrogant” and “angry,” Hardin used a makeshift outfit resembling law enforcement uniforms to facilitate his escape. His violent past left a significant mark on the community, with local officials, including the FBI and Arkansas State Police, actively searching for him. Hardin had pleaded guilty to Appleton’s murder, with chilling details emerging about the incident as Appleton was shot while speaking on the phone with his brother-in-law, Andrew Tillman, who was mayor at the time.
Cheryl shared poignant memories of her brother, emphasizing his community-mindedness and how deeply his loss affected the town. The 1997 rape case was the focus of the 2023 documentary “Devil in the Ozarks,” which explored Hardin’s criminal history. Following news of Hardin’s escape, advocacy for prompt community safety measures became paramount, with calls for residents to lock their doors and remain vigilant. Tillman noted that the situation resurrected painful memories for her and others impacted by Hardin’s crimes, reinforcing the urgency for his capture to restore peace of mind in Gateway.
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