Search continues for Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who is actively wanted for murder.The last confirmed sighting was in Chapin, South Carolina, on Thursday night. He is believed to be armed and dangerous, authorities say. >>For more on what Hamlett is accused of, click here. You can find updates below and we will continue to add them as we get them. UPDATE Friday morning: This is from Chapin Police Department: 8:30 a.m. “The search continues for the suspect in this case and he is NOT in custody. There are multiple law enforcement agencies and resources in and around the Town of Chapin, South Carolina These resources will remain here throughout the day and into the night if needed. We have also been in contact with School District and will remain in communication throughout. If the suspect is apprehended or confirmed to be out of the Chapin area we will pass that information along accordingly. Stay safe and vigilant and call 911 for anything suspicious. “UPDATE 5:30 AM 11/01/2024: “The suspect is NOT in custody and the search continues. Law-enforcement resources have been utilized throughout the night to locate this suspect. The searches will continue throughout the morning and the day if need be. Once more updated information that can be shared publicly is available we will put out that information. Continue to stay vigilant and call 911 for anything suspicious. UPDATE 3:00 AM 11/01/24: The search continues and the suspect is NOT in custody. The helicopter and K-9 resources are still being utilized along with officers on the ground on perimeter. Please stay away from the area and if you see something suspicious call 911. “UPDATE 12:30 AM 11/01/24: “We have had a confirmed sighting of the suspect in Chapin near Chapin High School. A perimeter has been established and K-9 and helicopter are enroute. Please stay away from the area. If you live in this area ENSURE TO LOCK YOUR DOORS AND REMAIN INSIDE. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.”UPDATE Thursday 9 p.m.: The Chapin Police Department said the murder suspect has not been found.Law Enforcement resources have been deployed throughout the Town of Chapin on Thursday evening, including multiple officers from various agencies as well as helicopters and K-9’s.Officers will continue to patrol throughout the night and deploy other resources should information of Hamlett’s whereabouts become available.Authorities suggest everyone in the area to lock their doors tonight and call 911 for anything suspicious.WYFF 4 reached out for a possible description of the suspect’s vehicle, but officers said they did not have that information at this time.UPDATE Thursday 6 p.m.: Officers alerted the public on Halloween to be aware and vigilant tonight more than ever while trick-or-treating. The Chapin Police Department said Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who is wanted for first-degree murder, has been reported to be in the Chapin, South Carolina area.Officers said Hamlett is believed to be armed and dangerous.Chapin police, in cooperation with multiple law enforcement partners, is currently conducting an active search in and around the Chapin area for Hamlett. (Previous Coverage below)Monroe County, Tennessee, deputies said a man wanted for first-degree murder has ties to South Carolina and several other states. (Video above: Full press conference held on Oct. 30)Around 11:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Monroe County Emergency Communications received a transferred 911 call from Polk County Emergency Communications regarding a distressed hiker.The caller, who claimed to be Brandon Andrade, told the dispatcher that he fell off a cliff while running from a bear. He claimed to be injured and partially in the water before the call disconnected, officials said. Dispatchers pinged the call to the Charles Hall bridge area on the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and emergency services responded. Search-and-rescue teams searched the area and found a dead man with the identification card for Brandon Kristopher Andrade on his person. The body was then transported to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.”The injuries was not consistent with a bear attack or fall from a cliff,” Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones said. “The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.”Detectives with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and Violent Crimes Task Force reviewed the scene and discovered the ID card that was found on the body did not belong to the deceased man. Upon further investigation, detectives found that the ID card had been stolen and used on multiple occasions. Additionally, authorities found that the man who was using the stolen ID card was 45-year-old Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who is wanted for parole violation in the state of Alabama.Officials said the victim of the identity theft is alive.According to officials, the phone used to make the 911 call was traced to a home in eastern Tennessee. The resident of the home was later identified as Hamlett. He used a false name when speaking with law enforcement in Knox County after the distressed hiker call. When authorities returned, Hamlett was gone.Deputies said the man who was found dead has yet to be identified and is being referred to as John Doe. Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are working to develop a sketch of Doe to be released for the purpose of identification.An arrest warrant has been issued for Hamlett for first-degree murder out of Monroe County.Authorities are searching for Hamlett and said he is known to use multiple aliases, including Andrade. Law enforcement considers Hamlett to be “dangerous and potentially armed.” ” is a very mobile person, which is why we are making this a very national manhunt,” U.S. Marshal David Jolly said. “Mr. Hamlett is an extremely dangerous individual. The facts of this case are very gruesome.”Officials said Hamlett is reported to have ties in the states of South Carolina, Alaska, Kentucky, Montana, Alabama and Tennessee.Hamlett is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall and 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.The U.S. Marshals Service issued a reward of $5,000 on Wednesday. FBI Special Agent Joseph Caraco said, “If you have any information on the whereabouts of Nicholas Wayne Hamlett contact the sheriff’s office , your 911 number or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”Jones said, “Anyone that is known that is communicating with Mr. Hamlett in any way and is not reporting to law enforcement will also face criminal charges.”Caraco spoke to Hamlett directly by stating, “Nick, let’s end this peacefully. Turn yourself in, have your day in court. The long arm of the law has a long and huge reach, and we will find you. No matter where you hide.”
Search continues for Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who is actively wanted for murder.
The last confirmed sighting was in Chapin, South Carolina, on Thursday night.
He is believed to be armed and dangerous, authorities say.
>>For more on what Hamlett is accused of, click here.
You can find updates below and we will continue to add them as we get them.
UPDATE Friday morning:
This is from Chapin Police Department:
8:30 a.m. “The search continues for the suspect in this case and he is NOT in custody. There are multiple law enforcement agencies and resources in and around the =AZUHTSYn16qrBqI2ZiVVmeNfm33yvq8tspW_t8bsFrHJ8a1MZqZ43eXVWgx-3Z9H3lPZPWqNVRQX5oJW-UdigBZaC2XfKLBNBUYQypNMvRuUuHBINUSGf5dgCRX15FL80wxFqpvXyIVEaMC-XtY329sPUrjPEiB2IcUihbIPSc1jFByLdw-Uu6vVa3Cnd0L_E0A&__tn__=-]K-R” role=”link” tabindex=”0″>Town of Chapin, South Carolina These resources will remain here throughout the day and into the night if needed. We have also been in contact with School District and will remain in communication throughout. If the suspect is apprehended or confirmed to be out of the Chapin area we will pass that information along accordingly. Stay safe and vigilant and call 911 for anything suspicious. “
UPDATE 5:30 AM 11/01/2024: “The suspect is NOT in custody and the search continues. Law-enforcement resources have been utilized throughout the night to locate this suspect. The searches will continue throughout the morning and the day if need be. Once more updated information that can be shared publicly is available we will put out that information. Continue to stay vigilant and call 911 for anything suspicious. UPDATE 3:00 AM 11/01/24: The search continues and the suspect is NOT in custody. The helicopter and K-9 resources are still being utilized along with officers on the ground on perimeter. Please stay away from the area and if you see something suspicious call 911. “
UPDATE 12:30 AM 11/01/24: “We have had a confirmed sighting of the suspect in Chapin near Chapin High School. A perimeter has been established and K-9 and helicopter are enroute. Please stay away from the area. If you live in this area ENSURE TO LOCK YOUR DOORS AND REMAIN INSIDE. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.”
UPDATE Thursday 9 p.m.: The Chapin Police Department said the murder suspect has not been found.
Law Enforcement resources have been deployed throughout the Town of Chapin on Thursday evening, including multiple officers from various agencies as well as helicopters and K-9’s.
Officers will continue to patrol throughout the night and deploy other resources should information of Hamlett’s whereabouts become available.
Authorities suggest everyone in the area to lock their doors tonight and call 911 for anything suspicious.
WYFF 4 reached out for a possible description of the suspect’s vehicle, but officers said they did not have that information at this time.
UPDATE Thursday 6 p.m.: Officers alerted the public on Halloween to be aware and vigilant tonight more than ever while trick-or-treating.
The Chapin Police Department said Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who is wanted for first-degree murder, has been reported to be in the Chapin, South Carolina area.
Officers said Hamlett is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Chapin police, in cooperation with multiple law enforcement partners, is currently conducting an active search in and around the Chapin area for Hamlett.
(Previous Coverage below)
Monroe County, Tennessee, deputies said a man wanted for first-degree murder has ties to South Carolina and several other states.
(Video above: Full press conference held on Oct. 30)
Around 11:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Monroe County Emergency Communications received a transferred 911 call from Polk County Emergency Communications regarding a distressed hiker.
The caller, who claimed to be Brandon Andrade, told the dispatcher that he fell off a cliff while running from a bear. He claimed to be injured and partially in the water before the call disconnected, officials said.
Dispatchers pinged the call to the Charles Hall bridge area on the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and emergency services responded. Search-and-rescue teams searched the area and found a dead man with the identification card for Brandon Kristopher Andrade on his person. The body was then transported to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.
“The injuries [of the deceased] was not consistent with a bear attack or fall from a cliff,” Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones said. “The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.”
Detectives with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and Violent Crimes Task Force reviewed the scene and discovered the ID card that was found on the body did not belong to the deceased man. Upon further investigation, detectives found that the ID card had been stolen and used on multiple occasions. Additionally, authorities found that the man who was using the stolen ID card was 45-year-old Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who is wanted for parole violation in the state of Alabama.
Officials said the victim of the identity theft is alive.
According to officials, the phone used to make the 911 call was traced to a home in eastern Tennessee. The resident of the home was later identified as Hamlett. He used a false name when speaking with law enforcement in Knox County after the distressed hiker call. When authorities returned, Hamlett was gone.
Deputies said the man who was found dead has yet to be identified and is being referred to as John Doe. Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are working to develop a sketch of Doe to be released for the purpose of identification.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Hamlett for first-degree murder out of Monroe County.
Authorities are searching for Hamlett and said he is known to use multiple aliases, including Andrade. Law enforcement considers Hamlett to be “dangerous and potentially armed.”
“[Hamlett] is a very mobile person, which is why we are making this a very national manhunt,” U.S. Marshal David Jolly said. “Mr. Hamlett is an extremely dangerous individual. The facts of this case are very gruesome.”
Officials said Hamlett is reported to have ties in the states of South Carolina, Alaska, Kentucky, Montana, Alabama and Tennessee.
Hamlett is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall and 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
The U.S. Marshals Service issued a reward of $5,000 on Wednesday.
FBI Special Agent Joseph Caraco said, “If you have any information on the whereabouts of Nicholas Wayne Hamlett contact the sheriff’s office [423-442-3911], your 911 number or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
Jones said, “Anyone that is known that is communicating with Mr. Hamlett in any way and is not reporting to law enforcement will also face criminal charges.”
Caraco spoke to Hamlett directly by stating, “Nick, let’s end this peacefully. Turn yourself in, have your day in court. The long arm of the law has a long and huge reach, and we will find you. No matter where you hide.”
