In the small town of Tiptonville, Tennessee, a community is reeling from the devastating loss of four lives in a quadruple homicide that has left residents grappling with grief and fear. The murders, discovered on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, are linked to the abandonment of a 7-month-old girl found in a car seat in a random front yard in nearby Dyer County earlier that same day. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond, remains at large, intensifying the community’s anguish and vigilance.
The victims, identified as James M. Wilson, 21, Adrianna Williams, 20, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15, were all relatives of the abandoned infant. Wilson and Adrianna Williams were the parents of the 7-month-old girl, Cortney Rose was her grandmother, and Braydon Williams was her uncle. Their bodies were found in a wooded area along Carrington Road in Tiptonville, Lake County, approximately 40 miles from where the baby was discovered in Tigrett, Dyer County. Authorities have confirmed that the killings were targeted, with Drummond having a familial connection to the victims, reportedly having previously dated the aunt of Adrianna Williams.
Neal Daughtery, a Tiptonville resident, expressed the community’s profound sorrow and disbelief, stating, “The situation is sad and hard to comprehend.” He voiced a sentiment shared by many in the area, saying, “He murdered four people. He needs to die,” reflecting the raw anger and desire for justice. Daughtery noted that he has been arming himself whenever he leaves his home, while others in the community are taking extra precautions, locking doors and limiting time outside.
John Troutman, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Tiptonville, spoke of the community’s response to the tragedy, emphasizing unity and resilience. “This tragic situation has brought the community together to stay strong and heal while wanting to see justice served, especially for the child, who will grow up without her parents,” Troutman said. He acknowledged the pervasive fear, adding, “People are scared, they’re concerned. It’s just kind of the facts of the world we live in now. There is no promise that you’re safe all the time. So, it just brings it home a little closer.” The pastor affirmed that the community will continue to pray for the victims, their families, and the baby girl, who is now safe and being cared for after receiving medical attention.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), along with multiple agencies including the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and local sheriff’s departments, is leading a manhunt for Drummond. He faces charges of four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. Authorities have described Drummond as armed and dangerous, urging the public not to approach him but to contact 911 or provided tip lines if he is spotted.
Drummond’s white 2016 Audi A3, which has damage on the driver’s side and bears Tennessee license plate RI 01896, was found abandoned on Friday, August 1, 2025, in a wooded area near MCO Road in Jackson, Tennessee, approximately 75 miles southeast of Tiptonville. Jackson police believe Drummond may have been living in the vehicle and suspect he remains in the area. Additionally, a 1988 white Ford pickup truck with a red stripe, linked to Drummond, was located in Dyer County, and authorities are asking residents in the Burnt Mill Road area to review surveillance footage from Tuesday morning for any sightings of Drummond or the truck.
Drummond, who was released from prison in September 2024 after serving a 13-year sentence for a 2014 armed robbery in Jackson, has a history of violent behavior. While incarcerated, he faced additional charges, including attempted first-degree murder and drug-related offenses, and was out on a $30,000 bond for an attempted murder charge at the time of the homicides. A $15,000 reward, jointly offered by the TBI and U.S. Marshals Service, is available for information leading to his arrest.
As the search for Drummond continues, Tiptonville and surrounding communities remain on edge, united in their mourning and their hope for justice. The infant, spared in what authorities called an “act of compassion,” represents a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy, as residents rally to support her and honor the memory of those lost.
