MONROE COUNTY, Tenn — The wife of a Monroe County murder suspect is facing charges for allegedly helping her husband evade authorities.
According to a Monroe County affidavit of complaint, Taylor Fiber is charged with accessory after the fact for aiding her husband, Nicholas Hamlett, who was wanted for murder. He was arrested Monday in South Carolina.
Monroe County investigators said Nicholas Wayne Hamlett called 911 on Oct. 18 pretending to be an injured hiker who fell off a cliff while running from a bear and who was partially in some nearby water. Hamlett told dispatchers that he was "Brandon Andrade." When authorities arrived, they found a body — but it wasn't Andrade's.
The body turned out to be that of Steven Douglas Lloyd, a 34-year-old man from Knoxville who struggled with his mental health and subsequently spent some time living on the streets. The body had identification belonging to Andrade, which authorities said had been stolen and used several times before.
Monroe County investigators called Fiber on Oct. 22 about the investigation into Hamlett. According to the affidavit, she said 'Nick' was the brother to Hamlett's alleged victim, Brandon Kristopher Andrade. Fiber told investigators she didn't know 'Nick's' last name but thought it was Andrade as well.
Investigators later learned Fiber knew Hamlett's identity and she had bought a one-way bus ticket for Hamlett to flee Knoxville and get to Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 19, according to the affidavit.
Investigators wrote in the affidavit Fiber also went to Academy Sports in Columbia and purchased a grey camping tent and delivered it to Mr. Hamlett in the woods where he was hiding. The affidavit states that she warned him that law enforcement was in the area searching for him.
Fiber's arraignment is set for Nov. 15 at 9 a.m.