In brief
On October 18, a 911 call was made regarding a bear chasing the caller off a cliff; however, the response led to the discovery of a homicide victim, leading to a manhunt for the true identity-stealing suspect.
In rural Tennessee, a peculiar case of deception has surfaced with Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, being sought by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for first-degree murder. This pursuit was sparked by a 911 call made on October 18 by a person claiming to be the victim of a bear attack. Upon emergency responders’ arrival at a picturesque location on the Cherohala Skyway, they were shocked to find a lifeless body instead of an injured victim.The identification found on the deceased read “Brandon Kristopher Andrade,” the same name provided by the 911 caller. Authorities, however, soon determined that the identity had been stolen, and the real Brandon Andrade was not involved. Investigators identified the caller as Hamlett, a parolee with a long criminal history, including previous convictions for assault, forgery, and theft.Sheriff Tommy J. Jones II announced on Friday that Hamlett is now considered armed and dangerous, with an arrest warrant issued for him. Details surrounding the murder victim's identity and cause of death remain unclear, as the investigation continues. Authorities plan to release a sketch to aid in identifying the victim.This incident is eerily similar to another recent occurrence in Montana, where a bear was initially blamed for a camper’s death, but later investigations revealed inflicted wounds that were not bear-related. Both cases highlight the bizarre circumstance of bear attack allegations in connection with actual homicides, raising questions about the nature of these tragedies in rural settings. As authorities continue their search for Hamlett, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the chilling events that unfolded in Tennessee.
