Columbia, South Carolina: Manhunt Concludes in Bizarre Murder Case
In a twist straight out of a crime thriller, law enforcement has apprehended a man who was the subject of a multistate manhunt stemming from a peculiar chain of events that involved a suspicious emergency call, a false identity, and a fabricated bear attack.
What Happened?
On Sunday, Sheriff Tommy J. Jones II of Monroe County, Tennessee, confirmed the capture of Nicolas Wayne Hamlett, 45, in Columbia, South Carolina. This arrest came more than three weeks after a disturbing 911 call led to a discovery that would unravel a tangled web of deception.
Authorities started their investigation when they responded to an emergency call made on October 18. A caller, who claimed to be Brandon Kristopher Andrade, reported a rather alarming situation: he said he had been chased off a cliff by a bear and required urgent help. However, the mystery deepened when officers arrived at the scene, only to discover a dead body near a bridge on the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Bodies, Bears, and Fraud
Upon examining the body, law enforcement officials identified it using the name given by the caller. However, things took a strange turn. The injuries observed on the deceased didn’t correspond with what one would expect from either a bear attack or a fall from a cliff. The plot thickened as investigators determined both the deceased and the 911 caller were not who they claimed to be.
As it turned out, the identity of Mr. Andrade had been used fraudulently on numerous occasions. Enter Nicholas Hamlett, a known parolee with a long and checkered history of criminal activity. It was soon uncovered that Mr. Hamlett had appropriated Andrade’s identity, further complicating the already bizarre case.
Who Was the Victim?
Further investigation led the police to identify the victim as Steven Douglas Lloyd, 34, a man from Knoxville, Tennessee. Described as a former foster child who had spent time living on the streets, Mr. Lloyd had managed to stay in touch with his adoptive family. Tragically, it appears that Mr. Hamlett befriended him before luring him into the woods where he ultimately met his untimely demise.
Mr. Lloyd’s family expressed their profound shock after learning their beloved son had been killed by someone he had trusted. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office shared the heartbreaking sentiment as they reported the family’s feelings on the matter.
The Capture
On Sunday, the long hunt for Hamlett came to an end when an alert hospital employee recognized him and immediately notified the authorities. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for, as Hamlett’s capture not only puts an end to his run but also brings a sense of justice for Mr. Lloyd’s grieving family.
In addition to facing serious murder charges, Hamlett is also looking at a parole violation in Alabama, as he had been dodging law enforcement for quite some time.
The Road Ahead
As this bizarre tale unfolds, it raises many questions about identity manipulation, the justice system, and the lengths to which some individuals will go to escape accountability. It’s a case that will certainly keep law enforcement and the public intrigued as more details emerge.
For now, many are hoping that with Hamlett in custody, the community can move forward and feel a little safer knowing that justice for Mr. Lloyd is within reach.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
