LAKE COUNTY, Tenn. – A somber investigation is underway in Northwest Tennessee following the discovery of four deceased individuals in Lake County on Tuesday night, July 29, 2025. Authorities believe this tragic finding is connected to the case of an infant abandoned earlier that day in neighboring Dyer County.

The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) was first alerted to the situation at approximately 3:11 p.m. on Tuesday when a seven-month-old girl was found abandoned in a car seat in the front yard of a residence on Old Highway 20 near the Tigrett area. A witness reported seeing a dark-colored minivan or a white mid-size SUV briefly stop before leaving the infant and driving away. The child, unharmed but exposed to extreme heat with temperatures reaching 96 degrees and a heat index of 111 degrees, was quickly evaluated by Medical Center EMS and Crockett County Ambulance Service. The infant was identified within hours, thanks to a social media post by the sheriff’s office that garnered widespread attention.

As the investigation into the abandonment progressed, authorities identified three individuals they wish to speak with: Cortney Rose, Matthew Wilson, and Adrianna Williams. Hours later, the discovery of four bodies in Lake County, approximately 25 miles north of Dyer County, escalated the case. The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that the two incidents are believed to be related, though specific details connecting the cases have not been disclosed.

The identities of the four deceased individuals are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, and it remains unclear whether Rose, Wilson, or Williams are among the victims. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Brian Avery, is spearheading the death investigation, with active support from Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box and his team. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been called in to assist, underscoring the complexity and gravity of the case.

“This is a deeply saddening day for our community,” Sheriff Box stated. “We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.” Sheriff Box also expressed gratitude to Sheriff Avery and his team for their swift collaboration at the Lake County crime scene.

The Tigrett community, a quiet rural area in Northwest Tennessee, is reeling from the shocking events. Residents have voiced disbelief at the abandonment of an infant in sweltering heat and the subsequent discovery of the bodies. “We just can’t believe something like this would happen here,” one neighbor told local media, reflecting the community’s distress.

No arrests have been made, and investigators have not yet revealed possible motives or the exact nature of the connection between the abandoned infant and the four deaths. The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, continues to investigate both cases diligently. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any information related to the described vehicles or the incidents. Anyone with details is asked to contact the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office at 731-285-2802.

As the investigation unfolds, the community is called to keep those affected by this tragedy in their thoughts and prayers, while law enforcement works tirelessly to bring clarity and justice to this deeply unsettling case.