Tennessee Quadruple Murder Suspect Austin Drummond Apprehended After Weeklong Manhunt

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Austin Robert Drummond, a 28-year-old Tennessee man accused of killing four family members, was captured on August 5, 2025, after evading authorities for a week. The murders, which occurred on July 29 in Tiptonville, Tennessee, claimed the lives of Adrianna Williams, 20; Matthew Wilson, 21; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15. The case also involved the abandonment of a seven-month-old infant, related to the victims, found in a car seat in a stranger’s yard in Dyer County.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced Drummond’s capture but did not disclose the exact location, releasing an image showing him wet from rain, possibly in a wooded area. Prior to his arrest, Drummond was last seen on August 3 in Jackson, Tennessee, approximately 70 miles from Tiptonville, wearing camouflage and carrying a rifle, as captured on surveillance footage. Authorities warned the public to exercise caution, describing him as armed and dangerous, and noted he may have altered his appearance, with the capture image revealing a shaved goatee compared to his previous mugshot.

The investigation began when a witness reported a white vehicle abandoning the infant in Tigrett, Tennessee, about 40 miles from the murder scene. The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office initially sought to locate Rose, Williams, and Wilson, believing they might be linked to the abandonment. However, on July 29, law enforcement discovered the four victims’ bodies, all with gunshot wounds, in a wooded area in Tiptonville. On July 31, the TBI named Drummond the prime suspect, 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 a dangerous felony.

During the manhunt, three individuals—Dearrah Sanders, 23; Tanaka Brown, 29; and Giovonte Thomas, 29—were arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Brown also faces a charge of tampering with evidence. The TBI has not specified how these individuals allegedly assisted Drummond. A combined reward of up to $32,500 was offered by the TBI, U.S. Marshals Service, local CrimeStoppers, and the Tennessee Governor’s Office for information leading to Drummond’s arrest.

Drummond, a Jackson resident, has a significant criminal history. He was released from prison in September 2024 after serving nearly 13 years for a 2014 aggravated robbery conviction. While incarcerated, he faced additional charges, including attempted murder and drug-related offenses, and was out on bond for these charges at the time of the killings. Authorities noted a familial connection, as Drummond previously dated a sister of Cortney Rose. A relative posted on social media that Drummond had been “nothing short of amazing to us and our kids” during that time, according to NBC News. The victims were closely related: Adrianna Williams and Matthew Wilson were the infant’s parents, Cortney Rose was the maternal grandmother, and Braydon Williams was Adrianna’s younger brother.

The motive for the killings remains under investigation, though officials have stated the attack was targeted, not random. The infant, found unharmed, is now safe and being cared for, according to Stephen Sutton, a spokesperson for the Lake and Dyer County Sheriff’s Offices, as reported by NBC News. The TBI urged anyone with information to contact 1-800-TBI-FIND, emphasizing Drummond’s dangerous nature during the manhunt.