KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Law enforcement overnight confirmed an out-of-state sighting of murder suspect Nicholas Hamlett, who is at the center of a manhunt out of Monroe County. Officials conducted a search for Hamlett in the Town of Chapin, South Carolina, using K-9s and a helicopter. The United States Marshal Service, who is assisting in the search for Hamlett, said he was known to have connections in other states including Tennessee, Montana, Alaska, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida. The Marshals Service said on Friday that they had tracked Hamlett to Chapin, S.C. and learned he was camping in the woods on outskirts of town. They went there, but Hamlett had fled on foot. "Been searching the area all night and still believe he is on foot in the area," the Marshals Service said on Friday. The Chapin, S.C. Police Department initially shared a community alert on Halloween warning people about Hamlett. The department warned the public to call 911 if they saw anyone matching Hamlett's description. ‘A great risk to the public’ Reward offered for Monroe County murder suspect Later, in an update on the same Facebook post, Chapin Police said Hamlett had been seen in the area of Chapin High School and established a perimeter for the search. After a few more updates overnight into Friday stating Hamlett was not in custody, Chapin Police said Friday morning that the search was continuing. UPDATE 8:30 AM 11/01/2024: The search continues for the suspect in this case and he is NOT in custody. There are multiple law enforcement agencies and resources in and around the Town of Chapin, South Carolina. These resources will remain here throughout the day and into the night if needed. We have also been in contact with School District and will remain in communication throughout. If the suspect is apprehended or confirmed to be out of the Chapin area we will pass that information along accordingly. Stay safe and vigilant and call 911 for anything suspicious. Chapin, SC Police Department, Facebook, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 Deputies searching for murder suspect after body found with stolen ID in Monroe County Last Friday, on Oct. 25, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said it was searching for Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, who was charged with first-degree murder. The investigation began a week before then, when on Oct. 18, a 911 call from a man claiming to be a distressed hiker on the Cherohala Skyway brought searchers to the area. A body of a man was recovered in the area and taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. After investigators worked the scene and reviewed information, they found that the identification with the body had been stolen and numerously used. Hamlett, who was wanted out of Alabama for parole violation, was known to use that stolen identification. “He has a criminal history of stealing other people’s identity and living under false identities and then and attacking victims and taking their identity. He's been living for the past for probably six years under an assumed identity,” said David Jolley, the United States Marshall for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “He may actually be using a totally different name, you know? And we don't know what that is right now, but we do have reason to believe that he may have stolen another identity." Elmore County, Alabama Sheriff Bill Franklin shared that Hamlett plead guilty to attempted murder and assault in 2011. He was on parole for this charge. MCSO said Hamlett had used a false name when speaking to law enforcement in Knox County after the distressed-hiker call. Before his real identity was verified, Hamlett is believed to have fled the area. Manhunt intensifies for ‘highly dangerous’ East Tennessee murder suspect Hamlett is considered armed and dangerous. He is described as 5’7″ and weighing around 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone who sees him is urged to call 911 or Monroe County Dispatch at 423-442-4357 and not approach him. Anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement or call 1-877-926-8332.