A Tennessee man on parole is accused of killing a hiker and attempting to stage the incident as a bear attack. The suspect, identified as Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, allegedly made a fraudulent 911 call earlier this month, impersonating a man named Brandon Andrade. He claimed to have been severely injured after a bear chased him off a cliff while hiking in Hamilton County, according to local law enforcement.
Upon arrival, rescue workers discovered a bloodied body at the base of a cliff, with identification belonging to Andrade. However, an autopsy revealed that the deceased was not Andrade, leaving officials uncertain of the victim’s true identity, as reported by WSB-TV Atlanta.
Authorities believe that Hamlett stole Andrade’s identity in an attempt to evade parole. It is also suspected that he staged his own death for reasons yet unknown. He is currently wanted for the murder of the unidentified hiker.
When initially questioned by deputies about the 911 call, Hamlett provided a false name. He then fled the area before his true identity could be determined, according to WSB-TV.
This is not Hamlett’s first encounter with the law. He was previously arrested for luring a man into the woods in Alabama. Despite being on the run, Hamlett is not considered free from danger. Law enforcement agencies have labeled him as armed and dangerous, and are on high alert for anyone using the name “Brandon Andrade.”