On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, a seven-month-old infant was found abandoned in a car seat on a stranger’s front yard in the Tigrett area of Dyer County, Tennessee, sparking a chilling investigation that soon uncovered a devastating tragedy. Hours later, four relatives of the child were discovered dead in neighboring Lake County, leaving authorities and the community grappling with unanswered questions.
The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 3:11 p.m. from a witness who spotted the infant, unharmed but alone, on Old Highway 20 near Tigrett, approximately 80 miles north of Memphis. The child was promptly evaluated by medical personnel and was reported to be safe. A poignant image shared by the sheriff’s office showed the baby cradled in the arms of a paramedic, underscoring the community’s care amidst the unsettling circumstances.
Investigators are searching for a vehicle believed to have been used to drop off the infant, described as either a dark-colored minivan or a white mid-sized SUV. The sheriff’s office initially sought to speak with three individuals—Cortney Rose, Matthew Wilson, and Adrianna Williams—believed to be connected to the abandonment. Tragically, these individuals, along with a fourth relative, were later identified as the deceased found in Lake County.
On the evening of July 29, authorities discovered four bodies in a wooded area along Carrington Road in Tiptonville, Lake County, roughly 40 miles north of Tigrett. Dyer County District Attorney Danny Goodman Jr. identified the victims as James Matthew Wilson, 21, the infant’s father; Adrianna Williams, 20, the mother; Cortney Rose, 38, the maternal grandmother; and Braydon Williams, 15, the maternal uncle. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) confirmed the deaths as homicides but has not disclosed the cause of death, citing the ongoing investigation.
The TBI, leading the case with support from the FBI, Dyer County and Lake County Sheriff’s Departments, and nearly a dozen other agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force, is actively pursuing suspects. “The investigation, including efforts to identify and apprehend the suspect or suspects, remains active and ongoing,” the TBI stated on Wednesday, July 30. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office at 731-285-2802 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
District Attorney Goodman emphasized that the incident appears to be isolated, not a random attack, and poses no ongoing threat to public safety. However, the motive behind the killings and the reason for the infant’s abandonment remain unclear. The homeowner who found the baby, visibly shaken, declined to speak on camera, reflecting the profound impact on the close-knit community.
“This is a deeply saddening day for our community,” said Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box. “We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.” Lake County Sheriff Bryan Avery echoed the sentiment, expressing solidarity with the affected families and gratitude for the collaborative efforts of law enforcement.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of four lives and rallies around the infant, who was spared from the tragedy. Authorities remain dedicated to piecing together the events that led to this heartbreaking sequence of events, vowing to deliver justice for the victims and answers for a grieving region.
