In the quiet, close-knit community of Tiptonville, Tennessee, a chilling crime has shattered the peace, leaving residents reeling and law enforcement racing to uncover the truth. On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the bodies of four individuals—three from the same family—were discovered along a desolate road in Lake County, sending shockwaves through the region. The victims, identified as 38-year-old Cortney Rose, her children, 20-year-old Adrianna Williams and 15-year-old Braydon Williams, and Adrianna’s boyfriend, 21-year-old James “Michael” Wilson, were found dead in what authorities have described as a targeted and brutal attack. The discovery of their bodies came just hours after an infant, related to the victims, was found abandoned in a car seat in a stranger’s front yard in nearby Dyer County—a haunting detail that has only deepened the mystery surrounding this tragedy.

As the investigation unfolds, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has zeroed in on 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond as the primary suspect. Described as armed and dangerous, Drummond remains at large, sparking a multi-agency manhunt that has gripped the region with urgency. Authorities believe Drummond, a Jackson, Tennessee resident with a violent criminal past, including a 2013 conviction for aggravated robbery, may still be hiding in the Lake County area. His white 2016 Audi A3 and a 1988 white Ford pickup truck with a red stripe, both linked to the suspect, were found abandoned in Jackson and Dyer County, respectively, offering clues but no immediate answers. The U.S. Marshals Service has issued a stark warning to the public: do not approach Drummond, but call 911 immediately if he is spotted. A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his capture, underscoring the priority of bringing him into custody.
On Monday, August 4, 2025, Dyer County District Attorney Danny Goodman provided a significant update during a court appearance, shedding new light on the sprawling investigation. Four individuals have now been charged in connection with the killings, accused of aiding Drummond or obstructing justice in the aftermath of the murders. Tanaka Brown, 29, was arraigned on charges of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence, accused of actions that helped shield Drummond from authorities. Dearrah Sanders, 23, faces similar charges of Accessory After the Fact, allegedly assisting the fugitive in evading capture. Brandon Powell, another associate, has been charged with Possession of Schedule VI Drugs and Criminal Conspiracy, suggesting a broader network of involvement in the events surrounding the crime. Giovonte Thomas, 28, was also arrested earlier in the investigation, charged with Accessory After the Fact. Thomas, already in custody at Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge, is set to be transferred to Lake County for arraignment.

The arrests paint a picture of a complex web of relationships and actions that authorities are still working to untangle. While the TBI has labeled Brown, Sanders, and Thomas as “associates” of Drummond, the specifics of how they aided him remain unclear, cloaked in the ongoing investigation’s secrecy. Powell’s drug and conspiracy charges hint at additional layers of criminal activity that may have intersected with the murders, though no motive for the killings has been publicly disclosed. District Attorney Goodman has emphasized that the investigation is far from over, with the possibility of additional arrests looming as law enforcement pursues every lead.

The tragedy’s ripple effects are felt deeply in Tiptonville, a town of just over 4,000 residents located 125 miles from Memphis. The victims, all from Dyer County, were reportedly known to Drummond, who had a relationship with the family, according to TBI Director David Rausch. The abandoned infant, believed to be the child of Adrianna Williams and James Wilson, was found safe and is now being cared for, offering a small glimmer of hope amid the grief. The community, however, remains on edge as the manhunt for Drummond continues, with authorities urging vigilance and appealing for any security footage or information that could lead to his capture.

Drummond faces a litany of charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and multiple weapons offenses, reflecting the severity of the crime. His prior criminal history, including time served for robbing a convenience store at gunpoint and threatening jurors, has only heightened fears about his potential danger to the public. As the TBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and local sheriff’s offices intensify their efforts, the question on everyone’s mind is not just where Drummond is hiding, but why this horrific act of violence was committed against a family and their loved one.

For now, Tiptonville waits, holding its breath as justice inches closer. The arrests of Brown, Sanders, Powell, and Thomas mark significant steps, but the heart of this tragedy—Austin Drummond—remains at large, a shadow over a community desperate for answers and closure.