Timeline of events in quadruple homicide investigation
UPDATE: Third person arrested in connection to murder investigation
Police are diligently working to solve a quadruple homicide case that left a child without a family. While two men have since been arrested, the main suspect has yet to be located.
Here’s all we know so far.
*As of 8/3/25 8:45 p.m. (mymaps.google.com)
TUESDAY (07/29)
On Tuesday, the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a “concerning incident” on Old Highway 20 near the Tigrett area.
When officials arrived, they found an infant alone in a car seat in a stranger’s front yard. Emergency medical services evaluated the child and determined the infant was safe, but officers were still puzzled on who left it there.
Roughly 30 minutes after responding to the call, authorities developed the next of kin and began the search for them.
4 found dead in Lake County, investigation runs deeper
Later that night, just before 11 p.m., Lake County police found four individuals dead along Carrington Road in Tiptonville and an investigation was launched.
Dyer County investigators began working alongside the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were requested to assist.
WEDNESDAY (07/30)
Investigation continues, deceased identified as family of infant
Wednesday, the deceased were identified as Braydon Williams, 15; Adrianna Williams, 20; James M. Wilson, 21; and Cortney Rose, 38.
A Facebook post shows photos of Adrianna (TL), James (TR), Cortney (BL) and Braydon (BR).
Officials later confirmed Adrianna and James as the parents to the infant, while Braydon and Cortney were identified as the uncle and maternal grandmother.
THURSDAY (07/31)
TBI develops Austin Drummond as a suspect in homicides
Thursday, the TBI developed 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond as a suspect in the Lake County homicides.
According to District Attorney Danny Goodman, Drummond knew the victims. Drummond was once romantically involved with Cortney Rose’s half-sister, though it is unclear if they are still together.
FRIDAY (08/01)
Drummond’s vehicle located, manhunt ensues
Friday, the car Drummond was believed to be driving in was recovered along MCO Road in north Jackson, just before a TBI press conference regarding the case.
A manhunt ensued as law enforcement combed through the surrounding area for the suspect or clues on where he might have went.
Officials were, however, unsuccessful in locating Drummond. A $15,000 combined reward between the TBI and U.S. Marshals Service was announced as their search continued.
Drummond’s criminal history
Also on Friday, WBBJ was able to learn more about Drummond and his violent criminal history.
According to court records available online, Drummond previously had an upcoming court hearing in Lake County scheduled for August 25. Charges listed include:
- Schedule II drugs: meth (Violation date: 07/21/2023)
- Schedule VI drugs: manufacturing, delivering, selling, possession (Violation date: 07/21/2023)
- Contraband in penal facility (Violation date: 07/21/2023)
- Contraband – intoxicant/drugs in penal facility (Violation date: 07/21/2023)
- Possession of a handgun – convicted felon (Violation date: 07/21/2023)
- First degree murder – attempted (Violation date: 8/29/23)
In his earlier years, records also show that Drummond robbed a convenience store at gunpoint in 2013, when he was just a teenager. However, he was charged as an adult and given a combined sentence of 13 years.
During his incarceration, Drummond racked up 25 disciplinary actions ranging from drug possession to deadly weapons and more.
WBBJ obtained audio from Drummond’s 2020 early parole hearing where he was denied. District Attorney Jody Pickens strongly opposed his early release.
Drummond was released in September 2024, according to Tennessee Department of Correction records.
SATURDAY (08/02)
Officials seek footage of vehicles
Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box announced Saturday that they are asking residents and businesses along Highway 78, from Dyersburg to Lake County, to review their camera footage from Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for any sightings of the following vehicles:
- White Nissan Rogue
- Black Dodge Charger
- White Audi
- White Traverse
These vehicles have already been recovered and they are looking for video footage exclusively. If you have any video footage that could be pertinent to the TBI’s investigation into the recent quadruple homicide in Lake County, call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
TBI also announced that the 1988 white Ford truck connected to the case was located in Dyer County.
2 men charged in connection to homicides, Drummond still missing
While Drummond is still missing, TBI officials confirmed that two Jackson men have been arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to 1st degree murder in connection to the ongoing search for Drummond.
Friday, Tanaka Brown, 29, was arrested and is currently being held without Bond in Lake County Jail. Then, on Saturday, Giovonte Thomas, 29, was also arrested after both men were alleged to have assisted Drummond. Both arrests were announced on Saturday.
Thomas was being held in Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge for Failure to Appear, and will be transferred to Lake County Jail to be arraigned. Brown is now facing an additional charge: one count of tampering with evidence.
Also on Saturday, authorities announced that the reward for information leading to Drummond’s arrest has been increased to $17,500.
At the time of this article’s publication, authorities are still actively searching for Drummond. If you have any information that could lead to his arrest, or that might prove otherwise valuable to the investigation, call TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
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