Tennessee authorities search for murder suspect; believed to have ties in Alabama

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee has issued a warrant for the arrest of a man suspected of committing murder.

Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, is wanted for first-degree murder in Monroe County, Tennessee.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee, the incident occurred on October 18, 2024.

The Monroe County E-911 center received a call from a man claiming to be a distressed hiker named Brandon Andrade who had gotten injured after falling off a cliff running from a bear.

When Investigators arrived to the scene, they found a male, who was pronounced dead.

Investigators found an ID on the male of Brandon Kristopher Andrade.

Monroe County Sheriff's Criminal Investigation Unit and Violent Crimes Unit determined that the male was not Brandon Andrade and that the ID was stolen.

The male that was identified as responsible for the ID was discovered to be Hamlett.

Police say Hamlett has ties to Tennessee, Montana, Alaska, Kentucky, and Florida.

Hamlett was previously charged in Alabama for a parole violation, 2 counts of attempted murder, 2 counts of 2nd-degree forgery, 1st-degree kidnapping, menacing, and possession of a forged instrument.

Authorities say Hamlett has multiple aliases, including Brandon Andrade. He is approximately 5"7, 170lbs with brown hair and blue eyes.

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Hamlett is considered armed and dangerous.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office asks that if anyone sees Hamlett or has any information on Hamlett's whereabouts, contact 911 and do not approach him.