UPDATE: (November 11, 2024) A Tennessee man on the run for nearly a month has been captured in South Carolina.
Last month we reported 45-year-old Nicholas Wayne Hamlett was being sought for first degree murder out of Tennessee. An investigation began on October 18th, after a deceased man was found by Monroe County TN Law Enforcement near the Cherohala Skyway. Officials said Hamlett made the initial call to Dispatch, leading Deputies to the body.
Hamlett reportedly had ties to South Carolina.
Sunday afternoon, November 10, 2024, Officials said Hamlett was captured in Columbia, SC. According to Police, Hamlett was recognized by an employee at a hospital who then quickly notified law enforcement.
Arrangements have been made to extradite Hamlett to Monroe County Tennessee. He also has a parole violation out of Alabama.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: Tennessee Murder suspect has ties to South Carolina.
It's been two weeks since Monroe County TN Law Enforcement found a dead man near the Cherohala Skyway. The victim is still unidentified and a national man hunt is on for the murder suspect, 45-year-old Nicholas Wayne Hamlett.
An investigation began on October 18, 2024, after Dispatch received a call from a supposed Brandon Andrade who fell off a cliff while running from a bear. In a wild turn of events, Authorities found the location, a deceased man at the scene and bearing the stolen ID of Andrade.
Authorities said Hamlett is the one who made the initial call and further investigation revealed he was the one using the stolen ID card. Hamlett is wanted for parole violation in Alabama and now first degree murder in TN.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said "The [victim's] cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head," "not a bear attack or fall from a cliff."
Officials said Hamlett is reported to have ties in the states of South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Alaska, and Montana.
The US Marshal service has issued a reward of $5,000. Hamlett is described as "an extremely dangerous individual" and if spotted call 911 or 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Officials did say the victim of the identity theft, Brandon Andrade, is alive.
