MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Authorities have identified the four individuals found deceased along Carrington Road in Tiptonville, Lake County, in connection with the investigation into an abandoned baby girl in Dyer County on Tuesday.
The Dyer County and Lake County Sheriff’s Departments, in collaboration with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the FBI, are leading the inquiry into the deaths of the four individuals.
The deceased have been named as Cortney Rose, Matthew Wilson, Adrianna Williams, and a 15-year-old boy, Braydon Williams. Authorities have confirmed their relation to the found baby.
This situation is linked to the active investigation regarding a baby discovered in a front yard. The infant was located in a car seat at a home on Old Highway 20 near the Tigrett region.
The local district attorney, Danny Goodman Jr., confirmed Wednesday that the baby was related to those who were found deceased.
The woman who found the baby shared her experience, visibly distressed, with WREG but chose to remain off-camera due to the ongoing investigation.
Reports from a deputy indicate that a dark-colored minivan or white midsize SUV may have left the baby at an unknown residence. The baby was unharmed and has been identified.
After the baby was identified, the sheriff’s office said they wanted to speak with Rose, Wilson, and Williams.
How they died is still very much a mystery, as well as how a home at an out-of-the-way location was chosen as a drop-off spot for a child too young to tell the story about how she ended up left behind in the middle of the county, in the middle of the day.
“They’re devastated. We’re just thankful that the baby was spared, grateful for that,” said Amy Anderson, a family friend.
“They were really good people, Adrianna was the sweetest person, she loved being a mama,” said Anderson.
She also talked to Matthew’s mother about him, “He was a wonderful daddy. He loved the baby.”
His mother also said Cortney loved her kids.
“This is a deeply saddening day for our community. We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served,” said Sheriff Box.
When asked whether there was any ongoing public safety threat, D.A. Goodman said he did not think so, saying he believes the findings will show this is an isolated incident, not a random attack.
Lake County is directly north of Dyer County in northwest Tennessee near the Kentucky border, about two hours north of Memphis.
If you have any information related to the bodies found or the abandoned baby, contact the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office at 731-285-2802.
