Grim Discovery in Rural Tennessee: A Case of Identity Theft and Murder
On October 18, a 911 caller in the tranquil surroundings of rural Tennessee reported a shocking incident: he claimed to have sustained injuries after being pursued by a bear, which forced him off a cliff and into a body of water. However, when emergency responders arrived at the scene, they uncovered a far more sinister reality.
Located near a bridge along the picturesque Cherohala Skyway, which winds through the small town of Tellico Plains, authorities discovered the lifeless body of a man. Initially identified by the caller as Brandon Kristopher Andrade, the investigation quickly took a darker turn.
As the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office delved deeper, they realized that the individual was not actually Mr. Andrade. Instead, it was revealed that Mr. Andrade’s identification had been stolen, and the person responsible was identified as Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, a 45-year-old parolee with a notorious criminal past.
On Friday, Sheriff Tommy J. Jones II announced that a warrant for first-degree murder had been issued for Mr. Hamlett, who remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. Authorities have yet to identify the deceased man, nor have they disclosed the circumstances surrounding his death. Plans are in place to release a sketch to aid in identifying the victim.
Attempts to obtain additional comments from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on Monday were unsuccessful, as no response was received. Furthermore, no message was left with an individual named Brandon Kristopher Andrade.
In an intriguing twist, it was noted that Mr. Hamlett used an alias when communicating with officials from another Tennessee county shortly after the 911 call. Investigators believe he may have fled the state altogether.
Mr. Hamlett’s criminal record is extensive, including multiple prison sentences for offenses such as assault, forgery, and theft, as documented in court records.
This chilling case in Tennessee is not an isolated incident. It echoes a recent event near Bozeman, Montana, where a similar report emerged. A person had called authorities to report the death of a man found in his tent, initially presumed to be the victim of a bear attack. However, upon further investigation, officials suggested that the camper had actually fallen victim to a brutal homicide, with an autopsy revealing multiple chop wounds. As of now, no arrests have been made in that case.
Sheelagh McNeill contributed research to this report.
