Man wanted in Tennessee murder staged as bear attack has been captured, authorities say
SUMMARY
Authorities have captured Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who was wanted for allegedly staging the murder of Steven Douglas Lloyd as a bear attack in Tennessee. Hamlett was arrested in Columbia, South Carolina, after he was recognized at a hospital, where the FBI confirmed his identity through fingerprints. He faces first-degree murder charges in Tennessee and a parole violation in Alabama. The case began on October 18 when Hamlett allegedly called 911 using a fake identity, claiming he was a hiker injured by a bear. Responders later discovered the deceased victim, identified as Lloyd, along with an ID belonging to someone named “Brandon Andrade,” which was found to be stolen. Authorities suspect that Hamlett befriended Lloyd, then lured him into the woods to kill him and assume his identity. Lloyd, who was raised in foster care, struggled with reactive attachment disorder, complicating relationships. Hamlett reportedly has connections across several states and was considered dangerous.
