Monroe County, TN – In a puzzling series of events involving a falsified emergency call, authorities in Monroe County are investigating a case of stolen identity associated with a fugitive wanted for a grievous crime. The situation began unfolding on October 18, when emergency services received a call about a hiker allegedly falling from a cliff while escaping a bear. However, the reality turned out to be far more convoluted.
The individual who made the call falsely identified himself as Brandon Andrade and claimed to be the victim of the fall. Responders dispatched to the Charles Hall Bridge area on the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains instead found a deceased man whose identification named him as Brandon Kristopher Andrade.
Investigators quickly concluded that the identity had been stolen and misused on several other occasions. Further digging revealed that the caller was actually Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, a 45-year-old man with a record of significant criminal activity and currently wanted in Monroe County on charges of first-degree murder.
Hamlett’s criminal history includes a shocking 2012 conviction where he received a 20-year sentence for a kidnapping incident. In that case, he held a man at gunpoint and attempted to bury him alive. More recently, Hamlett was sought in Alabama for parole violations and had used the Andrade alias to evade capture in Knox County, Tennessee, before vanishing once again.
The identity of the deceased man found on the Cherohala Skyway remains a mystery, labeled as John Doe while investigators scramble to piece together his true identity. Efforts include preparing a sketch to release to the public in hopes of gaining leads.
Described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, Hamlett poses a significant threat. Authorities are cautioning the public about his dangerous nature and advising anyone who might see him to immediately contact law enforcement.
With multiple layers of deception and misuse of identity, this complex case has gripped Monroe County as law enforcement officers work diligently to resolve the matters at hand. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with any information that might contribute to locating Hamlett or identifying the deceased man to come forward. This not only facilitates the search for a dangerous fugitive but also aids in providing closure for the unidentified victim at the heart of this tragic saga.