Man Accused of Murder After Fake Bear Attack Call Arrested
A man accused of murder after a 911 call about a fake bear attack in the mountains of Tennessee led authorities to a dead man in October has been found and arrested, police said Sunday.
Arrest Made in Columbia, South Carolina
The arrest of Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, in Columbia, South Carolina, ends a manhunt that was launched after the call late Oct. 18 to 911 dispatchers in Monroe County.
Warrant Issued for First-Degree Murder
A warrant for first-degree murder was obtained against Hamlett after investigators determined that Hamlett, who was wanted on a parole violation out of Alabama, had been using stolen identification before the body was found.
Body Found with Injuries Not Consistent with Bear Attack
A body was found, with an ID of Brandon Kristopher Andrade — but it wasn’t him, and Andrade’s identity had been stolen and used multiple times, the sheriff’s office said.
The person also was not killed by a bear, officials said. “Once detectives laid eyes on the body, the injuries that the deceased had was not consistent with a bear attack, was not consistent with a fall,” Jones said at an October news conference. The cause of death was found to be blunt-force trauma to the head, he said.
Identity of Victim Revealed
The dead man was later identified as Steven Douglas Lloyd, a 34-year-old who authorities have said had been befriended by Hamlett during the summer, NBC affiliate WBIR of Knoxville reported.
Arrest and Extradition
Hamlett was arrested in South Carolina after a hospital employee recognized him and alerted authorities, the Columbia Police Department said. Fingerprints confirmed his identity, police said.
Hamlett was in custody Sunday and arrangements were being made to extradite him to Tennessee, Columbia police said.
Conclusion
The arrest of Nicholas Wayne Hamlett brings an end to a manhunt that began after a fake bear attack call led authorities to a dead man in Tennessee. The case highlights the importance of public cooperation in solving crimes and the dedication of law enforcement agencies in bringing perpetrators to justice.
FAQs
Q: What was the initial call about?
A: The initial call was about a fake bear attack in the mountains of Tennessee.
Q: Who was the victim?
A: The victim was identified as Steven Douglas Lloyd, a 34-year-old man who had been befriended by Hamlett during the summer.
Q: What was the cause of death?
A: The cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head.
Q: How was Hamlett arrested?
A: Hamlett was arrested in South Carolina after a hospital employee recognized him and alerted authorities.
Q: Is Hamlett in custody?
A: Yes, Hamlett is in custody and arrangements are being made to extradite him to Tennessee.
