THE net is tightening around quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond as the hunt for him continues.
A search for the 28-year-old suspect began on Thursday after he was identified as the main suspect in the killings of four family members and the abandonment of a 7-month-old baby in Tennessee.
Matthew Wilson, 21, Adrianna Williams, 20, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15, were found deceased in a wooded area in Tiptonville on Tuesday night.
In a related event, Williams and Wilson’s infant daughter was discovered in a car seat on a driveway in 100-degree temperatures in Tigrett, about 40 miles away from the crime scene – she is safe and receiving care.
Authorities have now provided a significant update in the investigation, announcing the capture of two of Drummond’s “associates” who are suspected of assisting the fugitive.
The first arrest was made on Friday when agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation(TBI) apprehended Tanaka Brown from Jackson.
The 29-year-old has been charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
“TBI investigators, working with a range of local, state, and federal agencies, recognized Drummond as a suspect,” the agency confirmed.
“Agents obtained warrants for Drummond charging him in connection with the murders.
“Further investigation revealed that Drummond’s associate, Tanaka Brown (DOB 11/17/1995), assisted Drummond.”
He is currently in Lake County Jail without bond.
The following day, agents arrested Giovonte Thomas from Jackson who is also accused of being an accessory after the fact to first degree murder.
TBI claimed their investigation revealed Thomas to be another one of Drummond’s “associates”.
“Thomas was already being held in the Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge for Failure to Appear,” they said.
“He will be transferred to the Lake County Jail to be arraigned on the new charges.”
NEW CLUE
As well as the arrests, cops have found a new clue that could help them track down the suspected murderer.
On Friday, cops confirmed that they located Drummond’s damaged Audi A3 abandoned on a road in Jackson, his home county, where he was last seen.
But now, a second vehicle believed to be connected to the fugitive has been located and taken as evidence by the authorities.
“Investigators searching for Austin Drummond are looking to find this 1988 white Ford pickup truck with a red stripe,” TBI wrote on X on Saturday evening.
“That truck has been located near Burnt Mill Rd. in Dyer County.”
They have now asked residents in the area to check their dash cam and door footage from Tuesday morning onwards for signs of Drummond or his truck.
Quadruple murders timeline
Tuesday, July 29: A 7-month-old baby girl was found abandoned in a car seat in the front yard of a residence in Tigrett, Dyer County, Tennessee, at around 3 pm.
Hours later: Four individuals were found dead in Lake County approximately 40 miles from where the baby was located.
Wednesday, July 30: Investigators identify the victims as:
- Matthew Wilson, 21, (the baby’s father)
- Adrianna Williams, 20 (the baby’s mother)
- Cortney Rose, 38, (the baby’s grandmother)
- Braydon Williams, 15, (the baby’s maternal uncle)
Thursday, July 31: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation name Austin Drummond, 29, as a suspect in the quadruple homicide.
Friday, August 1: Cops locate Drummond’s damaged Audi A3 abandoned on a road in Jackson and arrest alleged associate Tanaka Brown accused of being an accessory to first degree murder after the fact and tampering with evidence.
Saturday, August 2: Agents arrest second man Giovonte Thomas for accessory to first degree murder after the fact. They also locate a Ford pick up truck believed to be connected to Drummond in Dyer County.
Meanwhile, officials continue to request that Drummond hand himself in peacefully.
He is considered “armed and dangerous” and should not be approached by members of the public.
As of Friday, Drummond was thought to still be in the Jackson area, TBI Director David Rausch said, urging locals to keep their doors locks and to be on alert.
DARK PAST
A number of concerning revelations have been made about Drummond’s past since he was named as the primary suspect in the murder case.
It was revealed that he was out on bail for an attempted murder charge when he allegedly killed the four family members.
He had been released from prison in September after serving 10 years behind bars and was on bail for the crime that he allegedly committed while in prison.
He also posted disturbing jail pictures to Facebook months before his release.
It has also emerged that Madison County District Attorney Jody Pickens strongly advised against his early release in 2020.
She told the parole board he is “a dangerous felony offender and a confirmed member of the Vice Lords,” an infamous street gang from Chicago.
While a motive has not yet been given, Drummond is believed to have dated the aunt of Williams, the mother of the baby girl found in the car seat.
Drummond is facing four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, and one count of possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony.
“Getting Austin Drummond in custody is a priority,” the U.S. Marshals Service said.
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered by TBI for information leading to his arrest.
Anyone with information is urged to call 1 (800) TBI-FIND or write to TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov.
