GATEWAY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Following the prison escape of former Gateway police chief Grant Hardin, the Gateway mayor, and sister of Hardin’s murder victim, speaks out.
Cheryl Tillman has been the mayor of Gateway since 2023. The previous mayor was Andrew Tillman, her husband.
Cheryl Tillman said before her family’s time in office, she served on the city council, where she sat in chair five as Hardin was brought on as the sole member of the city’s police force.
“The mayor hired him. He was hired on for, like, four months. Things just didn’t work out. So the council decided to resolve and get rid of him,” said Cheryl Tillman, which she claims was followed by Mayor Frank Hackler Jr.’s resignation.
However, Cheryl Tillman, like many there, was unaware they were hiring her brother’s future murderer.
Cheryl Tillman is the sister of the late James Appleton, who was murdered by Hardin in 2017 and sentenced initially to 30 years.
Nathan Smith was the Benton County prosecuting attorney during Grant Hardin’s prosecution, and he said the “why” behind Hardin’s actions was never fully brought to light.
“There was never a good motive for either case. At least a motive in the sense of ‘How did he select the victim? What was he thinking? What was going through his mind? We never really knew any of that,” said Smith.
A year later, Hardin was sentenced to another 50 years after being linked with DNA to a cold case rape which he pleaded guilty.
According to Smith, there are parts of the case that stand out to him, with some questions still unanswered.
“How did he select the victim? What was he thinking? What was going through his mind? We never really knew any of that,” said Smith.
On May 25, 2025, Hardin was discovered missing from his prison unit, launching a manhunt.
Smith said that when he learned that Hardin escaped, he said he felt shocked.
“I hate it for the victims and their families to have to kind of relive that with the lack of knowledge of what’s going on,” said Smith.
Cheryl Tillman received a call the same day of his escape from Arkansas’s victim assistance program, VINE.
“They had called, and they had texted. And, I looked at Andrew and I said ‘Hardin’s escaped prison,'” said Cheryl Tillman.
24 hours later, Cheryl Tillman said she’s beginning to relive feelings and fears that she wasn’t prepared to return.
“I love my job, but right now, I don’t want no part of it. It’s really hard for me to come down here, locking those doors,” said Cheryl Tillman.
She said she remembers a time when she thought her family would never have to experience this fear again, with one memory being two days before Hardin’s escape.
“We just went to the cemeteries Friday, sitting there. We stood there with my mom, who’s 93, and reminisced over things of James,” said Cheryl Tillman.
Now, her focus is on what will happen if and when Hardin is found.
“First of all, 30 years wasn’t enough. He should have gotten life, but things happen, and that’s all they could get. This time, they need to throw away the key,” said Cheryl Tillman.
According to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, any time a major event like this occurs, there are steps and internal protocols followed.
The DOC said they are continuing to review footage and conduct interviews, as well as working with the Arkansas State Police, U.S. Marshals, and other local and state agencies to conduct a joint search. Anyone with information should contact local law enforcement.