Man at Center of Nationwide Manhunt for East Tennessee Murder is Spotted in South Carolina
MCSO

Man at Center of Nationwide Manhunt for East Tennessee Murder is Spotted in South Carolina

October 29, 2024

11/01/24 UPDATE: The man at the center of a nationwide manhunt for an East Tennessee murder is spotted in South Carolina.

Nicholas Hamlett, the man charged in a Monroe County murder, was spotted last (Thursday) night in a middle South Carolina town which prompted a response that included K-9s and helicopters.

Hamlett is accused of killing a person near Tellico Plains, then calling 911 using a stolen identity, claiming to be a distressed hiker being followed by a bear.

U.S. Marshals, the FBI have joined Monroe County officials in the search. David Jolley with the Marshals announced a $5,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to Hamlett’s arrest.

Anyone with information is being asked to call 911.

Monroe County – 10/30/24 (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The U.S. Marshals Service joined the nationwide hunt for Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, the man wanted in a Monroe County murder investigation.

There’s also a reward being offered for anyone with information about the suspect.

The situation is unusual. Hamlett is accused of not only killing a yet-unidentified victim, but also calling 911 after the fact using a stolen identity and claiming to be a hiker on the run from a bear.

Multiple law enforcement agencies have been on the hunt for Hamlett since Oct. 18. In a news conference on Wednesday, David Jolley with the Marshals announced a $5,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to Hamlett’s arrest.

Jolley’s announcement was joined by strong words from a representative with the FBI, who joined the search Tuesday, delivered straight to the suspect.

“Nick, let‘s end this peacefully,” he said. “Turn yourself in and have your day in court. The long arm of the law has a long reach. There’s nowhere to hide.”

Hamlett has a lengthy criminal history. Investigators said that he’s also wanted out of Alabama for a violation of probation. That probation itself a result of violent charges like attempted murder.

It’s that fact that prompted Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones Wednesday afternoon to give a warning about the man.

“There is a great risk to the public. The offender has a history. This is not an isolated incident,” Jones said. “There is a family suffering and there is a wanted, violent person walking our streets.”

While the conference mostly served as a warning to those in the area to stay alert and a plea for anyone with information to come forward, we also learned a bit more about the investigation itself.

Jones confirmed that the Monroe County victim’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to several parts of their body, including the head. He also said that the victim and Hamlett knew each other.

(Monroe County – WOKI) The FBI is joining a nationwide manhunt for the suspect in a Monroe County murder, Nicholas Hamlett.

He’s been on the run for days and officials say he called 911 claiming to be a hiker who fell off a cliff running from a bear, he was using a different name.

Police found the body, that has not been identified, and Stacey Payne with Crime Stoppers share their “X” post:

Know where #fugitive Nicholas Hamlett is hiding? He’s #WANTED by @MonroeTNSheriff for 1st Degree Murder & considered #armedanddangerous-do NOT approach. Stay #Anonymous & East TN Valley Crime Stoppers at **TIPS. Your tip may = $$$$.

Police say he has ties to several states including Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky.

Original Story: (Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT)

A nationwide manhunt is underway for a man officials say is wanted for a Tennessee murder.

The Monroe County Sheriff‘s Office in Tennessee is asking for the public’s help finding 45-year-old Nicholas Wayne Hamlett.

Authorities told CBS News that he has ties to Montana, Tennessee, Alabama, Alaska, Kentucky and Florida.

Deputies say on Oct. 18, a man called 911 claiming to be a distressed hiker named Brandon Andrade. He said he had fallen off a cliff while running from a bear.

The call was pinged to a bridge on the Cherahola Skyway in Tellico Plains. Search and rescue teams responded and found the body of a man with personal identification listed as Andrade.

“Detectives with the Monroe County Sheriff‘s Office Criminal Investigation Division and the Monroe County Violent Crime Task Force reviewed the scene and after further investigation, determined that the deceased subject was not Mr. Brandon Andrade and that the identification had been stolen and used on multiple occasions. Furthermore, a male that was using stolen identification of Mr. Andrade was discovered to be a Mr. Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who was wanted out of the State of Alabama on a parole violation,” said the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives said Hamlett used a false name when talking to Knox County law enforcement after making the call about the hiker and fled from his Tennessee address.

Police issued an arrest warrant for Hamlett for first-degree murder. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him should call 911 and not approach him.

The body was taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center for identification.

Investigation is Underway after Motorcyclist is Killed in South Knoxville Crash

Investigation is Underway after Motorcyclist is Killed in South Knoxville Crash

October 28, 2024

A motorcyclist was killed in a single-vehicle crash that happened on Monday night on W. Martin Mill Pike. 

At around 5:45 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the 3600 block of W. Martin Mill Pike near Chapman Highway. Officers arrived on scene, where a motorcycle had collided with a telephone pole. The driver, an adult man, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

It is believed that the motorcycle veered off of the road for unknown reasons and struck the telephone pole, ejecting the driver from the motorcycle. 

KPD crash reconstruction personnel responded to the scene and are leading the investigation, which remains ongoing. 

Pedestrian Dies in Pigeon Forge Crash, Police Say

Pedestrian Dies in Pigeon Forge Crash, Police Say

October 28, 2024

Pigeon Forge, TN (WOKI) A man is dead after a weekend crash in Pigeon Forge.

Officials with the Pigeon Forge Police Department say officers responded to the crash on Veterans Boulevard south of Teaster Lane shortly after 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening.

PFPD says when officers arrived, they found that 29-year-old Victor Perez had been hit by two cars while trying to cross the boulevard and that he died at the scene.

The investigation into the crash is still ongoing.

Pigeon Forge Police Department Chief Richard Catlett said officers responded to the crash on Veterans Boulevard around 8:10 p.m. Saturday. (Courtesy: PFPD via Facebook)
TVA Invites the Public to Learn about the Integrated Resource Plan

TVA Invites the Public to Learn about the Integrated Resource Plan

October 28, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Valley Authority is hosting a public information session to inform local residents about the draft Integrated Resource Plan.

The agency is also hoping to get feedback on how to evaluate and plan to meet future power demands.

Officials describe an IRP as a tool to “evaluate options available to meet the region’s power generation needs for the coming decades.”

The meeting is slated for 6:00 p.m. Monday, November 4 and will take place at Tennessee Economic Council, 1201 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Suite 100 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Tennessee Valley Authority seeking public input on the draft Integrated Resource Plan. (Courtesy: TVA)
Knoxville Police Say Two Charged in Connection to Multiple Robberies in Fort Sanders Area

Knoxville Police Say Two Charged in Connection to Multiple Robberies in Fort Sanders Area

October 28, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Brandon Donathan, 25 of Knoxville, and Sarai Standridge, 24 of Knoxville, have been charged in connection to a spate of robberies or attempted robberies, including three that happened in the Fort Sanders area early Sunday morning. Both Donathan and Standridge were taken into custody following an attempted robbery in West Knoxville.

At around 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the area of Luscombe Drive and Pocanno Road, where it was reported that a man wearing all black attempted to rob a resident at gunpoint. The suspect reportedly ran from the scene following the attempted robbery and got into a white sedan.

Another resident witnessed the incident and was able to get a video of the suspect and white sedan, and also witnessed the suspect toss a firearm into nearby bushes. A short time later and after continued investigation at the scene, officers spotted the suspect vehicle traveling west on Luscombe Drive. Officers stopped the vehicle and detained both occupants, who were identified as Donathan and Standridge.

Donathan and Standridge were both transported to the Public Safety Complex for further questioning. Through those efforts, detectives were ultimately able to connect Donathan and Standridge to three robbery incidents that happened near the UT campus.

That includes a robbery that happened near 11th Street and Cumberland Avenue, where a 22-year-old woman was robbed of her purse at around 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning. 

Additionally, Donathan and Standridge were involved in two other attempted robberies, which were not reported to the KPD until Sunday afternoon. A male victim reported that a man, since identified as Donathan, attempted to rob him at gunpoint in the area of Clinch Avenue and 22nd Street at around 1:10 a.m. on Sunday morning. A female victim also reported that a man, also identified as Donathan, attempted to rob her at gunpoint in the area of Clinch Avenue and 17th Street at around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Donathan and Standridge have both been charged with attempted aggravated robbery for the incident that occurred on Luscombe Road. Donathan has also charged with multiple additional counts of robbery or attempted robbery, in addition to possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. Additional charges are expected on Standridge.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Needs Your Help to Find a Man Wanted for First-Degree Murder
WVLT

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Needs Your Help to Find a Man Wanted for First-Degree Murder

October 28, 2024

The Monroe County Sheriff’s office needs your help finding a man wanted for first degree murder.

On October 18th, a man called 911 claiming to be a distressed hiker named Brandon Andrade who said he had fallen off a cliff while running from a bear.

The call was pinged to a bridge on the Cherahola Skyway in Tellico Plains. Search and rescue teams responded and found the body of a man with personal identification listed as Andrade.

“Detectives with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and the Monroe County Violent Crime Task Force reviewed the scene and after further investigation, determined that the deceased subject was not Mr. Brandon Andrade and that the identification had been stolen and used on multiple occasions. Furthermore, a male that was using stolen identification of Mr. Andrade was discovered to be a Mr. Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who was wanted out of the State of Alabama on a parole violation.”Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

Detectives said Hamlett used a false name when talking to Knox County law enforcement after making the call about the hiker and fled from his Tennessee address.

Nicholas Hamlett, who is wanted out of Alabama on a parole violation, has been identified as the man who made the call about the hiker.

Police say he is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him should call 911 and not approach him.

Shelter in Place Ends Following Ammonia Chemical Leak at US Foods
WVLT

Shelter in Place Ends Following Ammonia Chemical Leak at US Foods

October 28, 2024

Operations back to normal following an ammonia chemical leak at U.S. Foods.

Alcoa city officials ordered a shelter in place following the leak Friday night.

The City of Alcoa Fire Department along with a hazmat trailer were taking readings with meters in the area and they never got readings outside of the plant facilities. They say the road closure was a precaution and at no time was the public in danger.

A drone video showed a valve malfunction and after the valves were shut off, the shelter in place order was lifted.

When the liquid is released, it turns to vapor so no cleanup that has to be done, unlike an oil spill or gas fuel leak.

No injuries were reported.

An Investigation is Underway in Greene County after a Couple is Found Dead and Their Son is Charged with First-Degree Murder
GCSO

An Investigation is Underway in Greene County after a Couple is Found Dead and Their Son is Charged with First-Degree Murder

October 28, 2024

An investigation is underway in Greene County after a couple is found dead and their son is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents were called to a home in the 500 block of Hartman Lane Friday where they found 68-year-old Cassandra Wilhoit and 60-year-old Ray “Allen” Wilhoit dead.

Deputies arrested their son, 35-year-old Jessie Wilhoit, his bond was set at $2 million and his arraignment is set for today (Monday) at 8:30 a.m.

Knoxville Fire Department is Investigating an East Knoxville House Fire which Injures a Man

Knoxville Fire Department is Investigating an East Knoxville House Fire which Injures a Man

October 27, 2024

The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating a house fire in East Knoxville.

Crews were called to the 3000 block of Linden Avenue yesterday (Sunday) morning for smoke coming from the home.

Upon arrival they found smoke coming from the front of the home and a man was injured in the street in front of the home. Crews found a small fire in the kitchen but had difficulty establishing a water supply because a car was parked in front of the closest fire hydrant so crews had to break out windows in the car to hook up their hose through the car.

Everyone make it out okay but the injured man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two man and a woman lived in the home which suffered significant smoke, water, and fire damage.

An East Tennessee County Ranks #1 for Lowest Unemployment

An East Tennessee County Ranks #1 for Lowest Unemployment

October 25, 2024

(Story courtesy of WVLT News)

Knoxville, TN (WVLT) – Thursday, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released data outlining unemployment rates in Tennessee.

East Tennessee’s Sevier County ranked lowest in unemployment in the state, joined by Moore County at 2.7%.

East Tennessee county ranks No. 1 for lowest unemployment
East Tennessee county ranks No. 1 for lowest unemployment(Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

That being said, Sevier County’s unemployment rate increased from August, a trend that affected much of the state.

Unemployment rates in 77 counties across Tennessee increased, according to the data. Rates decreased in five counties and stayed the same in 13.

Two counties in southeast Tennessee ranked high for unemployment, however. McMinn County and Meigs County both sit at a 4.7% unemployment rate, ranked 87 and 89 respectively among Tennessee’s 95 counties.

Those looking for help finding a job can check out the American Job Center, which has many centers across the state.

(Pexels)

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