Monroe County murder suspect extradited back to Tennessee

UPDATE (11/15/2024):  Nicholas Wayne Hamlett was extradited back to Tennessee late last night.

Hamlett is facing First-Degree Murder charges for the death of Steven Douglas Lloyd near the Cherohala Skyway.

Law enforcement has charged Hamlett’s wife in South Carolina with being an accessory after the fact.

Hamlett was also being investigated in several states for identity theft scams.

According to WVLT, he opened $8 million dollar insurance policies under fake names.

In a press conference today, police would not elaborate on what he actually did other than saying it was a “financial motive”.

MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The suspect wanted for the murder of Steven Douglas Lloyd has been arrested in South Carolina.

Sunday, November 10, 2024, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) released that Nicholas Wayne Hamlett was taken into custody in

Nicholas Wayne Hamlett / Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

Columbia, South Carolina.

A citizen observed Hamlett at a local hospital, and alerted authorities.

The FBI was able to identify Hamlett by using fingerprints.

Hamlett has been wanted for First Degree Murder out of Monroe County and a parole violation out of Alabama.

It’s believed that Hamlett killed Steven Douglas Lloyd in the evening hours of October 18, 2024 near the Cherohala Skyway.

MCSO stated they received a call from Hamlett using a false identity, claiming Lloyd fell off a cliff while running from a bear.

Authorities were able to identify Douglas November 4, 2024.