Man Wanted For Murder After 911 Call Claiming He Was Being Chased By Bear

Hand holding cell phone with emergency number 911 on black background

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Authorities in Tennessee are searching for Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, on suspicion of murder. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said that Hamlett, who identified himself as Brandon Andrade, called 911 on October 18 to report that he was being chased by a bear and fell off a cliff. He told the dispatcher that he was injured in the fall.

Investigators were able to ping the location of his cell phone and traced it to the small town of Tellico Plains. They launched a massive search of the area and found a body. The rescue crew found an ID for Brandon Kristopher Andrade on the man's body.

However, the officials said that the body did not belong to Andrade and that his identity had been stolen and used on multiple occasions. The investigation revealed that Hamlett had been using Andrade's stolen identification.

The deceased victim has not yet been identified.

The Sheriff's Office said that Hamlett was not at his Tennessee residence and issued a warrant for his arrest. Hamlett, who has a warrant for a parole violation in Alabama, is considered to be armed and dangerous.