Manhunt Underway For East TN Murder Suspect

An East Tennessee murder has now led to a nationwide manhunt for the suspect. This originally began when the Monroe County 911 got a call about a hiker in distress near the Cherohala Skyway in the Tellico Plains area. When police arrived, they found a dead body with identification as Brandon Andrade. After the body was taken to the Knox County Forensics Center, it was determined the body was not that of Brandon Andrade, but an unknown individual. Through investigation, police agencies found that 45 year old Nicholas Wayne Hamlett actually made the original call to 911 after police say he murdered the individual that was found. Hamlett is a wanted individual in Alabama who is known to use fake identities.

Hamlett is 5’7″ and weighing around 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He is wanted for first degree murder and should be considered armed and damgerous. A statewide and nationwide manhunt is now underway for Hamlett. Anyone spotting him should not approach him, but call 911.

The identity of the victim in this case has still not been determined.