The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues its massive manhunt for Austin Robert Drummond, the 28-year-old suspect accused of killing four family members in Lake County. Authorities investigating the case were searching a wooded area Monday near Union University in Jackson, marking the latest development in a case that has gripped the state.
Austin Robert Drummond, 28, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the deaths last month of James Matthew Wilson, 21; Adriana Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15. The victims were discovered in a wooded area in Tiptonville on Tuesday, with an infant found alive in the front yard of a nearby home.
Table of Contents
Recent Arrests and Investigation Updates
Four people have been arrested in connection with the murders, as a manhunt for the suspected killer continues. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested Tanaka Brown on Friday and Giovontie Thomas on Saturday, both 29 and from Jackson, charging them with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Most recently, authorities arrested Dearrah Sanders and Brandon Powell, with Sanders charged as an accessory after the fact and Powell charged with criminal conspiracy.
Investigators searching for Austin Drummond have been wanting to locate this 1988 white Ford pickup truck with a red stripe, which has since been found abandoned near Burnt Mill Rd. in Dyer County. This discovery has redirected search efforts to the Jackson area.
Suspect Profile and Criminal History
Drummond is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds with blonde hair. Austin Robert Drummond remains at large after allegedly killing four family members of his girlfriend in a quadruple murder in Tennessee while he was out on bond for a 2024 attempted murder charge.
TBI Agents obtained warrants for Austin Robert Drummond charging him with 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.
Expanding Search and Reward
Law enforcement learned that Drummond possibly fled the state of Tennessee and crossed the state line boundaries. This development has prompted authorities to expand their search beyond Tennessee’s borders.
The reward for information leading to Drummond’s capture has increased significantly. Different agencies announced an increase in reward money, bringing the total to $32,500 for any information that leads to his arrest.
Public Safety Concerns
Authorities emphasize that Drummond should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added him to their “Most Wanted” list and urges anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
The baby is safe and is being cared for, according to officials, providing one source of relief in this tragic case. The infant, who is the child of two of the victims, was found unharmed despite the violence that occurred.
Multi-Agency Response
The search involves multiple law enforcement agencies working in coordination. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading the sprawling manhunt, with assistance from local sheriff’s departments, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other federal agencies.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its shocking nature and the discovery of the surviving infant. Community members in the affected areas remain on high alert as the search continues.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues to encourage anyone with information about Austin Drummond’s location to come forward. This ongoing investigation represents one of the most significant manhunts in recent Tennessee history, with law enforcement agencies working around the clock to bring the suspect to justice.
What are your thoughts on this developing story? Stay connected for the latest updates as this investigation unfolds.