POLICE have identified the suspect in a horrific quadruple homicide and kidnapping of a 7-month-old girl.
Austin Robert Drummond, 28, has been charged with killing four members of the same family and leaving a baby in the yard of a home miles away.
James “Matthew” Wilson, aged 21, and his girlfriend Adrianna Williams, 20, who were the parents of an infant, were discovered lifeless in a wooded area roughly two hours north of Memphis, Tennessee, on Tuesday night.
They were found in Tiptonville alongside Adrianna’s mom Cortney Rose, 38, and Matthew’s brother Braydon Williams, 15.
The tragic discovery was made hours after the baby was abandoned in Tigrett, about 40 miles away from where the bodies were found.
Investigators said at the time that the murders seemed targeted and insisted the public wasn’t in danger.
Now, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has accused 29-year-old Austin Robert Drummond of murdering the four family members.
Drummond is from Jackson, and he possibly dated or is dating a relative of Adrianna, Dyer County District Attorney Danny Goodman said.
The individual is described as being 5’10” tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a goatee, although he might have altered his appearance to evade capture.
Cops believe that he’s driving a 2016 Audi A3 with the Tennessee plate RI 01896.
Investigators warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
CRIMINAL PAST
Drummond had recently finished serving a years-long stint in jail for robbing a convenience store in Florida at gunpoint and kidnapping someone.
At the age of 16, the suspect reportedly entered a Circle K gas station wielding a handgun and demanded cash before escaping on foot, according to a 2013 report by CBS affiliate WBBJ.
Later that same day, Drummond, who was still armed, got into a car driven by a 17-year-old and asked him to pick up a friend.
The friend got into the car and also whipped out a gun, and the duo demanded that the driver drive to ATMs and withdraw money.
The driver dropped off the friend and then drove further before letting Drummond go.
The suspect then snatched the victim’s wallet and cell phone and told him not to call the cops before fleeing on foot.
Drummond is now facing four first-degree murder charges, a kidnapping charge, and firearm charges.
Cops have asked the public to report any tips or sightings, but warned to never approach him if he’s spotted in public.
After the victims were found, Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said, “This is a deeply saddening day for our community.
“We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”
EERIE CASE
Adrianna and her mother were declared missing on Tuesday night at 10:30 pm, following a distressing 911 call released by the Dyer County Sheriff’s Department.
One family friend, Amy Anderson, has described Adrianna as a dedicated mom who fiercely loved her new baby.
She said that the family is “devastated” but “thankful that the baby was spared.”
“They were really good people, Adrianna was the sweetest person, she loved being a mama,” Anderson told CBS affiliate WREG.
She said that Matthew was a “wonderful daddy” who “loved the baby” and said Cortney loved being a grandmother.
“It’s tragic. It’s tearing everybody apart,” said the mourning friend.
“Nobody knows what to think; there have been various rumors circulating. I sincerely hope that people can slow down with the gossip and wait for the factual information to come out to prevent adding any more pain to what already exists.”
