Law enforcement authorities have successfully captured Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, the man responsible for the murder of Steven Douglas Lloyd in Tennessee. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Hamlett was found at a local hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, and was taken into custody after his fingerprints were verified by the FBI.
The incident began on October 18 when a distressed hiker, who identified himself as “Brandon Andrade,” called dispatchers claiming he had fallen off a cliff while running from a bear in the Tellico Plains area of Tennessee. When authorities arrived at the scene near the Charles Hall Bridge on the Cherahola Skyway, they discovered the body of Steven Douglas Lloyd, who had been misidentified as Andrade. Further investigation revealed that Hamlett had been using a stolen ID belonging to Andrade.
It was later uncovered that Hamlett had befriended Lloyd, a foster child with trust issues and reactive attachment disorder, before luring him into the woods and taking his life. Hamlett’s motive for the murder remains unclear, but authorities believe he had been using various aliases to evade capture.
Hamlett, who is now facing first-degree murder charges in Tennessee and a parole violation in Alabama, had a history of criminal activities across multiple states, including Tennessee, Montana, Alabama, Alaska, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida. During the manhunt, law enforcement agencies warned the public that Hamlett was armed and dangerous.
The capture of Nicholas Wayne Hamlett brings closure to the tragic murder case of Steven Douglas Lloyd. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office expressed relief at finally bringing the suspect into custody and ensuring that justice will be served for the victim and his family.
Hunter Geisel, a digital producer at CBS Miami, has been following the developments in the case closely. Geisel’s expertise in covering breaking news and current events has provided valuable insights into the timeline of events leading to Hamlett’s capture. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies from multiple states were instrumental in tracking down the wanted fugitive and holding him accountable for his heinous crime.
