Investigation of the Case "Devil from Ozarks" from the Perspective of Arkansas

• Grant Hardin planned the case for six months.
• The kitchen staff did not adhere to safety rules, which contributed to the incident.
• Measures were taken to improve safety in the kitchen after the incident.

Along with the internal report, the former police officer, known as "Devil from Ozarks", was involved in planning the case from the perspective of Arkansas, utilizing safety protocols in the kitchen. The report, published on September 16, 2025, details the preparation of Grant Hardin for the case, which took place on May 25.

Hardin, who was charged with murder, was arrested on June 6 for 1.5 million in safety violations from the incident. He was dressed in a self-made costume, resembling a law enforcement uniform. Along with the report, Hardin utilized black markers and an old blazer to create a fake uniform, and also fabricated a badge from a bank card.

The kitchen staff was "very lax on safety", which allowed Hardin to gather all the necessary items for the case. He acquired necessary clothing in a timely manner, although they did not check it. Two employees in the kitchen were fired for procedural violations, which led to the incident. One of them allowed Hardin to remain in the back area without supervision, while the other opened the back door without confirming his identity.

After the incident, Hardin survived, consuming food he brought with him from the kitchen, as well as water from his own supplies for medical treatment. He planned to hide in the forest for six months, until he began to move to the exit. Hardin, a former police officer from the town of Hayt, was transferred to the kitchen with maximum safety after his arrest, as his classification of detention had not been reviewed since July 2019.

The report also indicates that after the incident, measures were taken to improve safety, including the removal of electrical locks from the door. However, committee members noted that the review did not take into account all systemic problems that led to the incident.

Tags: USA/Crime