A Tennessee Hiker Called the Cops for Help After a Deadly Bear Attack. The Caller Was Actually a Murderer Who Killed the Hiker and Stole His ID, Deputies Say

A Tennessee man called police, claiming to be a hiker who had been attacked by a bear in need of assistance after having fallen off of a cliff. In reality, he had actually killed a hiker, and was attempting to pass the murder off as a bear attack, officials say.

Murder suspect Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, called 911 pretending to be Brandon Andrade, according to police. He told the operator he needed help after having fallen from a cliff in Hamilton County while being chased by a bear.

Upon arrival, officials found a body at the scene, accompanied by identification belonging to Brandon Andrade. However, law enforcement later determined that the body did not belong to either Andrade or Hamlett.

The body is yet to be identified, law enforcement told WSB-TV.

Hamlett, who stole Andrade's identification, is believed to have done so in order to escape parole. He has been previously charged in Alabama for a parole violation, 2 counts of attempted murder, 2 counts of 2nd-degree forgery, 1st-degree kidnapping, menacing, and possession of a forged instrument.

Hamlett is currently still at large.