In the quiet town of Tiptonville, Tennessee, a horrific crime has shattered the peace, leaving a community reeling and law enforcement on high alert. A large-scale manhunt is underway for 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond, the prime suspect in a chilling quadruple homicide that claimed the lives of four family members. The search, now centered in Jackson, Tennessee, has gripped the region with tension, as authorities close in on wooded areas and local institutions take extraordinary precautions.
The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, when the bodies of James Matthew Wilson, 21; Adrianna Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15, were discovered in a wooded area along Carrington Road in Tiptonville, a small town 125 miles northeast of Memphis. The victims, identified as the parents, grandmother, and uncle of a seven-month-old infant, were allegedly killed by Drummond in what authorities describe as a targeted attack. The infant, found abandoned in a car seat in a stranger’s front yard in nearby Dyer County, sparked the investigation that led to the grim discovery. Miraculously, the baby was unharmed and is now safe, a small beacon of hope amid the tragedy.
Drummond, considered armed and dangerous, faces a slew of charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His criminal history paints a troubling picture: previously convicted of aggravated robbery in 2013 for holding up a Jackson convenience store at gunpoint, Drummond was out on bond for an alleged attempted murder incident in prison when the killings occurred. Authorities believe he may still be in the Jackson area, where he has known ties, intensifying the search efforts.
The manhunt has transformed north Jackson into a hub of law enforcement activity. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Highway Patrol, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, and SWAT units have converged on the city, combing through heavily wooded terrain near Cherry Grove Apartments and areas surrounding Union University off Pleasant Plains Road. Helicopters have been spotted circling overhead, their rotors slicing through the air as officers scour the ground below. The operation has disrupted daily life, with Pleasant Plains Road temporarily closed between Oil Well Road and Country Club Lane, forcing drivers to seek alternate routes. Local schools, including Jackson Christian School and Union University, briefly went into lockdown as a precaution, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
As the search for Drummond intensifies, three individuals have been arrested for allegedly aiding the fugitive. Dearrah Sanders, 23, was taken into custody on Monday, August 4, 2025, charged with Accessory After the Fact to First-Degree Murder for assisting Drummond post-crime. She joins Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonte Thomas, 29, both arrested over the weekend on similar charges. Brown faces an additional count of tampering with evidence, though specifics of their involvement remain undisclosed. Sanders and Brown are being held without bond at Lake County Jail, while Thomas, previously detained on an unrelated charge, will be transferred there for arraignment. The arrests signal progress in the investigation, but Drummond remains at large, heightening fears in the community.
The TBI and U.S. Marshals Service have made capturing Drummond a top priority, offering a combined reward of up to $17,500 for information leading to his arrest. Two vehicles linked to the suspect—a white 2016 Audi A3 and a 1988 white Ford pickup with red side panels—have been found abandoned in Jackson and Dyer County, respectively. Authorities believe Drummond may have been living in the Audi, and they are urging residents with security footage of the truck to come forward. “This incident has this community on edge,” said TBI Director David B. Rausch, a sentiment echoed by the heavy police presence and the palpable anxiety among residents.
The victims’ connection to Drummond adds a layer of complexity to the case. Authorities have confirmed a “familial relationship” between Drummond and the family, with a relative revealing he had dated one of Cortney Rose’s sisters and was considered “nothing short of amazing” to the family. The motive behind the killings remains unclear, as does the manner of the victims’ deaths, with officials withholding details to protect the investigation. For now, the focus remains on apprehending Drummond, described as 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a goatee—a man whose past and present have collided in a devastating act of violence.
As Jackson braces for answers, the manhunt continues to cast a long shadow. Residents are urged to lock their doors, stay vigilant, and report any suspicious activity to 911 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. The community holds its breath, hoping for justice for the lives lost and safety for the infant left behind in this heartbreaking saga.
