A 911 call claiming a hiker was being chased by a bear has resulted in a murder investigation in Tennessee, with authorities identifying the caller as a fugitive now wanted for murder. The incident unfolded on October 18, when a man posing as a distressed hiker named Brandon Andrade contacted police, claiming he had fallen off a cliff while escaping from a bear.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the call was made from the vicinity of the Charles Hall Bridge on the Cherahola Skyway in Tellico Plains, a small mountain town with a population of around 800. The caller described being injured and partially submerged in water, prompting an immediate response from emergency services and search and rescue teams.
As rescue teams scoured the area, they discovered a deceased individual, later identified by stolen identification as Brandon Kristopher Andrade. However, further investigation revealed that the man was not Andrade, but rather 45-year-old Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who had been using Andrade’s stolen ID. Hamlett was wanted in Alabama for violating parole.
“The identification had been stolen and used on multiple occasions,” officials stated. The sheriff’s office noted that Hamlett had provided a false name to law enforcement in Knox County, Tennessee, shortly after the distress call was made. Before his true identity could be confirmed, Hamlett fled his residence in Tennessee.
Arrest Warrant Issued
An arrest warrant for first-degree murder has been issued for Hamlett by the Monroe County authorities. The deceased man’s identity remains unknown, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is working to develop a sketch to assist in identifying him.
Authorities are now collaborating with multiple agencies, including the TBI and the FBI, in their search for Hamlett. The sheriff’s office has issued a warning that Hamlett is considered armed and dangerous, with a history of using various aliases.
Officials are urging anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of Nicholas Wayne Hamlett or details about the deceased to come forward. Citizens who see Hamlett are advised to contact 911 or Monroe County Dispatch immediately.
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