In brief
In a shocking twist, a man who claimed to be a murder victim has been identified as a suspect on the run, raising concerns of escalating crime in Tennessee.
On October 18, an alarming 911 call from rural Tennessee reported a bear chase that allegedly sent the caller tumbling off a cliff into water. However, the reality was starkly different when emergency responders arrived near a bridge on the picturesque Cherohala Skyway, within Tellico Plaines, to uncover a homicide scene. Instead of a bear attack victim, they discovered the body of an unidentified man bearing the identification of one Brandon Kristopher Andrade, which the dispatcher was led to believe was the caller's name.Investigations quickly revealed that the identity had been stolen by Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, a 45-year-old parolee with an extensive criminal history. Monroe County Sheriff Tommy J. Jones II stated on Friday that a warrant for Hamlett's arrest had been issued on first-degree murder charges, adding that he is considered "armed and dangerous." Authorities have yet to identify the deceased or disclose how he was killed, but plans are underway to release a sketch of the victim.Moreover, officials indicated that Hamlett had assumed yet another fake identity whilst communicating with a different Tennessee county post-911 call. He remains at large, and officials believe he may have vacated Tennessee altogether in the aftermath of the crime.This alarming incident is not an isolated case. Earlier this month, a similar scenario unfolded in Bozeman, Montana, when a report was made about a possible bear attack on a camper. However, investigations soon revealed evidence of homicide, with the victim exhibiting “multiple chop wounds.” As with the Tennessee case, no arrests in Montana have yet been made.As authorities continue their investigation, the situation highlights a dangerous trend of using wildlife as a scapegoat for violent crimes, raising questions about public safety in rural areas.Sheelagh McNeill contributed research. James Wagner covers Latin America, including sports, and reports from Mexico City.
