In a significant breakthrough in the investigation of a chilling quadruple homicide in Tiptonville, Tennessee, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has arrested two men believed to have assisted the primary suspect, Austin Robert Drummond, who remains at large. On Friday, July 31, 2025, TBI agents apprehended 29-year-old Tanaka Brown of Jackson, charging him with Accessory After the Fact to First-Degree Murder and one count of evidence tampering. Late Saturday, August 1, 2025, a second individual, 29-year-old Giovonte Thomas, also of Jackson, was arrested on the same accessory charge. Brown is currently held without bond in Lake County Jail, while Thomas, previously detained in Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge, awaits transfer to Lake County for arraignment.

The arrests stem from the horrific killings of four family members discovered on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, along Carrington Road in Tiptonville, a small town in northwest Tennessee’s Lake County. The victims, identified as Cortney Rose, 38; her children, Adrianna Williams, 20, and Braydon Williams, 15; and Adrianna’s boyfriend, James “Michael” Wilson, 21, were found dead with fatal gunshot wounds. A seven-month-old infant, the daughter of Adrianna Williams and James Wilson, was found abandoned but unharmed in a car seat approximately 40 miles away in Dyer County, prompting the initial alert that led authorities to the crime scene.
Austin Robert Drummond, 28, is the prime suspect in the targeted attack, which authorities believe was not random. Drummond, who has ties to at least one of the victims and is reportedly the brother-in-law of Cortney Rose, faces warrants for 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. Described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a goatee, Drummond is considered armed and extremely dangerous. The public is urged not to approach him but to contact 911 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND, 731-415-7962, or 731-333-0811 with any information. A $15,000 reward is offered for tips leading to his arrest.

The investigation has revealed Drummond’s extensive criminal history. He was released from prison in September 2024 after serving a 13-year sentence for aggravated robbery and retaliation for past actions, stemming from a 2013 convenience store robbery in Jackson and subsequent threats against jurors. While incarcerated, Drummond faced additional charges in 2023 for possession of methamphetamine and a handgun, and in November 2024 for attempted first-degree murder. At the time of the homicides, he was out on bond for the attempted murder charge. Authorities have also linked him to the Vice Lords street gang, noting over two dozen disciplinary issues during his incarceration, including possession of a deadly weapon and gang activity.

Law enforcement has recovered two vehicles associated with Drummond: a white 2016 Audi A3, found abandoned in a wooded area near MCO Road in Jackson on Friday, August 1, 2025, and a white 1988 Ford pickup truck with a red stripe, located in Dyer County on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The Audi showed signs that Drummond may have been living in it, and his last confirmed sighting was in Jackson on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The TBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and local agencies have intensified the search in Jackson and surrounding areas, including Memphis, deploying K-9 units, aerial surveillance, and digital forensics. Residents are advised to lock their doors and remain vigilant, as Drummond is believed to still be in the region.

The arrests of Brown and Thomas mark critical progress, though details of their assistance to Drummond—whether through shelter, transportation, or other means—remain undisclosed as the investigation continues. Both men were apprehended without incident, with Brown taken into custody following a coordinated operation involving the Jackson Police Department and U.S. Marshals Task Force. TBI Director David Rausch emphasized the urgency of capturing Drummond, stating, “Getting Austin Drummond in custody is a priority.” Rausch also noted a glimmer of hope, citing Drummond’s decision to leave the infant unharmed as a sign of compassion, urging him to surrender peacefully.

The Tiptonville community and surrounding areas remain on edge, grappling with grief and fear. Candlelight vigils have been held to honor the victims—Cortney Rose, the maternal grandmother; Adrianna Williams, the mother; Braydon Williams, the maternal uncle; and James Wilson, the father of the surviving infant. Reverend Mark Collins, who led a vigil at a local church, expressed the community’s resolve: “We need peace, we need justice, and we need healing. But we also need this man off the streets.”

Brown and Thomas are scheduled for court appearances in Lake County, where authorities will probe further into their roles. Meanwhile, the manhunt for Drummond continues to expand, with law enforcement following numerous leads and tips. The TBI encourages anonymous submissions through their website or tip line to aid in the search.

As West Tennessee mourns the loss of four lives and rallies around the surviving infant, the pursuit of justice remains paramount. Authorities and residents alike hope for a swift resolution to this tragic case, ensuring no further harm comes to the community.