The suspect wanted in the Tennessee murder has ties to Montana

MONROE CO., Tenn. – Officials in Monroe County, Tennessee, are asking for the public's help in locating a man wanted in a first-degree murder case. A detective working on the case says the suspect, Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, has ties to Montana.

Authorities said they received a call late on the night of Oct. 18 about a distressed hiker. They said the hiker reported he was injured after falling off a cliff while fleeing a bear.

When search crews responded, they found the body of a man who had an ID card belonging to Brandon Kristopher Andrade in his possession.

Officials later determined that the dead man was not Andrade. They say Hamlett previously used Andrade's identification and name as a pseudonym.

Hamlett is now believed to be on the run from his home in Tennessee.

Authorities in Monroe County, Tennessee, issued an arrest warrant for first-degree murder in the man's death. This victim has not been identified.

Anyone with information is asked to call Monroe County Dispatch at 423-442-4357 or the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 423-442-3911.

Officials released the following information: