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Reward set for man charged with murder in 911 call claiming a bear was chasing him

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Officials from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and local police departments are imploring Tennesseans to report the whereabouts of Nicholas Hamlett, the man charged with murder after a bizarre 911 call about a bear chasing him off a cliff , was called. Police say he is incredibly dangerous.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph Carrico used an Oct. 30 news conference to make a direct appeal to Hamlett: “Nic, let’s end this peacefully,” Carrico said. “Give yourself. Have your day in court.”

“We will find you no matter where you hide.”

Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones put it bluntly: Hamlett should be considered dangerous and must be brought to justice.

“There is a risk to the public — a major risk to the public,” Jones said. “The perpetrator has a (violent) criminal history.” He knew this victim. He's known him for a few months. But yes, there is a danger to the public. This was by no means an isolated incident.”

Jones previously announced that authorities, including the FBI, were searching for Hamlett, 45. Police say he used a false identity when he called 911 to say he had fallen off a cliff near the scenic Cherohala Skyway while fleeing a bear. The call from Hamlett, who used the name Brandon Andrade, led first responders to search the area on Oct. 18 to find the body of a man with Andrade's identification, the sheriff said.

Investigators later determined that the victim was not Andrade and that police said the case was a homicide and not an accident, Jones said. Jones said Oct. 30 that the victim died from blunt force trauma to the head and had no signs of injuries consistent with a bear attack or a fall.

Jones declined to name the victim. Neither man was from Monroe County, but both are East Tennesseans. Hamlett has lived in several states.

Jones would not say whether police believe Hamlett left Tennessee after the murder, but suggested there was a reason for federal authorities' involvement.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest.

“Escape from a Bear”

Knox News received the dispatch call about the fake overnight crash on October 18th.

“Units en route to the Cherohala Skyway area on Falls Branch Road. Have a male subject who fell off a cliff. He can't move. He was running from a bear. His battery is at 2% – he is unable to resume the emergency call.

“… traveling in the area of ​​Cherohala Skyway and Falls Branch Road. Cherohala Skyway and Falls Branch Road to support Turkey Creek. I received a call from Polk County. They point out that a male subject fell off a cliff while fleeing a bear. Can't move his legs. Hit his head. He will be at the falls…”

A violent past

Hamlett is wanted by police in Alabama for a probation violation. In 2009, he was charged with attempted murder in Alabama after police said he held a man at gunpoint and tried to hit him with a baseball bat, intending to bury the man's body, court records show .

Hamlett was charged with attempted murder and kidnapping, but pleaded less to aggravated assault, according to court records. He had four previous felonies and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Tyler Whetstone is an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. Get in touch with Tyler by sending him an email at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tyler_whetstone.

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