### Fugitive Apprehended After Allegedly Faking Cliff Fall to Cover Up Murder

Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, has been captured following an extensive manhunt, accused of murdering a man and attempting to disguise the death as an accidental fall from a cliff, authorities report.

Hamlett was apprehended on Sunday in Columbia, South Carolina, after weeks on the run. The suspect had been sought in connection with the death of a man on a scenic highway in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, which occurred last month. On October 18, Hamlett allegedly called 911 under a false identity, claiming he had fallen off a cliff while escaping a bear. This call led Monroe County Sheriff's Office to discover the body of a man with matching identification at the Cherohala Skyway location.

However, detectives soon determined that the identification on the deceased was stolen and had been misused by Hamlett. Contrary to Hamlett’s report, the cause of death was identified as blunt force trauma rather than injuries from a fall or bear attack. The victim was later identified as Steven Douglas Lloyd, 34, of Knoxville, Tennessee, who had been lured into a wooded area and murdered with the intention of stealing his identity, according to the sheriff's office.

Authorities indicated that Hamlett had a history of using stolen identities and was also wanted in Alabama for a parole violation related to a previous conviction for attempted murder and assault in 2011. During the manhunt, authorities warned that Hamlett was armed and dangerous.

The search concluded when an observant hospital employee in Columbia recognized Hamlett and informed authorities. The FBI confirmed his identity through fingerprint verification. At this time, the reason behind Hamlett’s presence at the hospital remains unknown.

Hamlett now faces charges of first-degree murder in Monroe County and a parole violation in Alabama. Arrangements are being made for his extradition to Tennessee. Sheriff Bill Franklin of Elmore County, Alabama, confirmed Hamlett's past criminal record and parole status.

Sheriff Tommy Jones II expressed gratitude to the public for their vigilance, stating that the widespread sharing of Hamlett’s wanted poster significantly aided in his capture. This monumental effort culminated in Hamlett’s peaceful apprehension, ensuring justice for Steven Douglas Lloyd and closure for his grieving family.