In a devastating turn of events that has shaken the small community of Tiptonville and reverberated across Tennessee, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has named a suspect in a horrific quadruple homicide that claimed the lives of four family members. Authorities have issued warrants for 26-year-old Austin Robert Drummond, who faces multiple charges in connection with the brutal slayings along Carrington Road in Lake County.
According to the TBI, Drummond is charged with:
– Four counts of First Degree Murder
– One count of Aggravated Kidnapping
– Four counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm
– One count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony
Drummond remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. The public is urged not to approach him but to report any information about his whereabouts to the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND, or local authorities at 731-415-7962 or 731-333-0811. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
**The Victims
The victims, discovered Tuesday night in a heavily wooded area along Carrington Road, were identified by the TBI as:
– Matthew Wilson, 21 — the infant’s father
– Adrianna Williams, 20 — the infant’s mother
– Cortney Rose, 38 — the infant’s maternal grandmother
– Brayden Williams, 15 — the infant’s maternal uncle
The tragedy is compounded by its connection to an abandoned infant case. On Tuesday afternoon, a 911 call reported a baby boy found in a car seat in a front yard near Tigrett in Dyer County, approximately 40 miles southeast of Tiptonville. The infant, confirmed to be the child of Matthew Wilson and Adrianna Williams, was found safe despite a heat index of 116 degrees.
**The Investigation Unfolds
The case began with the discovery of the abandoned infant, prompting immediate concern from the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office. As authorities worked to identify the child, they issued alerts for three missing adults: Matthew Wilson, Adrianna Williams, and Cortney Rose. By Wednesday, the investigation took a grim turn when the bodies of these three, along with 15-year-old Brayden Williams, were found in Tiptonville. The TBI has confirmed the deaths as homicides, with a massive multi-agency response involving the FBI, U.S. Marshals, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement from Tiptonville, Dyersburg, Lake County, Dyer County, and other agencies.
Two vehicles were removed from the crime scene on Wednesday for forensic analysis, but a key vehicle remains missing: a red and white 1988 Ford F-150 believed to have been driven by Matthew Wilson. Authorities are actively seeking this vehicle, which may hold critical evidence or lead to Drummond’s whereabouts.
**Suspect Background and Community Impact
District Attorney Danny Goodman, serving both Dyer and Lake Counties, revealed that Drummond, from the Jackson area, may have had a relationship with a relative of Adrianna Williams. Goodman noted that Drummond has a criminal history, including a robbery committed as a juvenile but charged as an adult, and was recently released from prison. The motive for the killings remains unclear, and the TBI has not disclosed Drummond’s specific connection to the victims.
The close-knit community of Tiptonville, unaccustomed to such violence, is reeling. Residents like Melissa Peal, a 40-year resident of Carrington Road, expressed horror at the crime, describing it as unprecedented in the quiet town near Reelfoot Lake. “They need to be found,” Peal said of the suspect. “This is bad for the community. It’s horrific.”
**Call to Action
The TBI and local authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. If you spot Austin Robert Drummond or the missing red and white 1988 Ford F-150, do not engage. Instead, contact law enforcement immediately at 1-800-TBI-FIND. Community members are also encouraged to share any information that could assist the investigation, as even small details may prove vital.
This tragedy has left a child without a family and a community grappling with fear and loss. As the search for Drummond intensifies, the collective hope is for swift justice to honor the lives of Matthew Wilson, Adrianna Williams, Cortney Rose, and Brayden Williams.
