Authorities in Tennessee are actively searching for a suspect who, after making a 911 distress call about being chased by a bear, led police to discover a dead body, prompting a search for the caller. The incident, which has attracted widespread attention, occurred on October 18, near Tellico Plains.
According to a press release from Monroe County Sheriff’s OfficeThe caller, who identified himself as Brandon Andrade, claimed he had fallen off a cliff while fleeing from a bear. First responders were sent to the scene according to this report. However, upon arrival they discovered a body with an identification that matched Andrade’s name.
But as the investigation continued, authorities determined that the deceased individual was not Andrade. The sheriff’s office revealed that the identification found on the victim had been “stolen and used on multiple occasions.”
The identity of the victim remains unknown and authorities are working on a representation of the individual, which they plan to make public to assist in identification. Investigators urge anyone with information about the identity of the victim to come forward.
The investigation soon revealed that Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, of Alabama had been using Andrade’s stolen ID. Hamlett also has an outstanding arrest warrant in Alabama for violation of probation, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities have now issued an arrest warrant for Hamlett on charges of first-degree murder and warn that he is considered “armed and dangerous.”
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office advises residents to remain vigilant and immediately report any sightings of Hamlett. They ask anyone with information about Hamlett’s whereabouts to contact them at 423-442-4357. The FBI and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are working with local authorities to locate the suspect and identify the victim.
Hamlett is described as being 5’7″, weighing about 170 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Authorities are urging the public to use caution if they encounter him and to contact police immediately.
Tellico Plains, where the body was found, is a small town with a population of only 1,000 people, located about 80 miles northeast of Chattanooga. The quiet community has been shaken by the discovery and ongoing search for the suspect. Authorities continue their efforts to ensure public safety while unraveling the details behind this mysterious and tragic incident.