In Tennessee, authorities are searching for 45-year-old Nicholas Wayne Hamlett in connection with a disturbing incident that unfolded after a 911 call reporting a bear chase led to the discovery of a dead body. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office revealed that a man had called emergency services from the Tellico Plains area on October 18, claiming to be a distressed hiker named Brandon Andrade. The caller stated that he had fallen off a cliff while fleeing from a bear.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they found a deceased individual with identification belonging to Andrade. However, further investigation determined that the deceased man was someone else entirely. It was revealed that Hamlett had used Andrade’s stolen ID and provided a false name when interacting with law enforcement in Knox County, Tennessee following the distress call.
Authorities disclosed that Hamlett is currently wanted in another state for a parole violation. In a previous incident in 2012, he had pleaded guilty to felony assault after a violent altercation in Alabama, where he held a man at gunpoint, tried to attack him with a baseball bat, and attempted to bury him alive. Hamlett, who was using the alias Joshua Jones at the time, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his actions.
The connection between Hamlett and the deceased individual in Tennessee remains unclear, as the body has not been identified and is being referred to as John Doe by law enforcement. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has not provided further details at this time.
Authorities are now urging the public to come forward with any information regarding the deceased individual and Hamlett’s whereabouts. They have described Hamlett as armed and dangerous, emphasizing the importance of contacting 911 immediately if he is spotted.
As the investigation unfolds, multiple law enforcement agencies are collaborating to piece together the events that led to this tragic discovery. The community is encouraged to remain vigilant and assist in any way possible to bring closure to this case.
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