THE manhunt for the fugitive accused of murdering four family members is heating up as three of his so-called associates have been arrested.
Austin Drummond, aged 28, is suspected of fleeing Tennessee after leaving a baby and discarding bodies by the roadside on Tuesday.
Drummond is charged with the murders of new parents Adrianna Williams and James Wilson, Adrianna’s mother Cortney Rose, and Adrianna’s 15-year-old brother Braydon Williams.
Authorities believe Drummond, possibly with accomplices, abducted the family members and left Adrianna and James’ seven-month-old baby in a remote area of West Tennessee.
The baby was found safe in a stranger’s driveway, and the bodies of the family members were discovered along a road hours later.
It’s not yet confirmed if Drummond had a connection to the family; however, victims’ relatives have alleged online that he dated a sister of Rose.
The murders occurred following Drummond’s release from a 13-year prison sentence in September after committing armed robbery at a convenience store, kidnapping someone, and forcing withdrawals from ATMs.
SUSPECT ON THE MOVE
There are concerns that Drummond has fled Tennessee after the alleged killings, as indicated by documents submitted by the US Marshals Service on Friday.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading the manhunt, and government agencies are offering a total cash reward of $27,500 for anyone who can lead them to Drummond.
Three people have been arrested and accused of helping Drummond pull off the sick crime.
Dearrah Sanders was arrested in the search and was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, TBI announced on Monday.
Giovontie Thomas was arrested on Saturday and hit with the same charge.
Tanaka Brown was arrested on Friday and has also been accused of being an accessory after the fact, but he’s additionally facing a charge of tampering with evidence.
PRISON LIFE
While Drummond’s social media posts from inside prison make his decade-long stay look like a cakewalk, court filings show he was known to get in trouble.
On July 23, 2020, Drummond had a parole hearing, and District Attorney General Jody S. Pickens explained in a letter why he shouldn’t be released.
Pickens called the murder suspect a “dangerous felony offender” who was allegedly part of the notorious Chicago street gang Vice Lords.
In a recorded call with his dad, Drummond threatened jurors and the victim of his armed robbery, the filing claims.
The suspect said, “They are going to regret it.”
Pickens wrote, “This type of behavior clearly demonstrates that Drummond has no desire for rehabilitation and is not capable of living among society.”
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.
Records also show that Drummond picked up an attempted murder charge after getting into a fight while behind bars.
But he claimed through an attorney that he was defending himself at the time.
In Facebook posts made months before his release, Drummond shared pictures from his cell, showing off bottles of expensive liquor and shelves of nonperishable snacks.
In June 2023, he shared a picture of himself enjoying a pizza dinner and wrote, “Chilling 10 more months.”
And in two different videos, he shared videos of himself playing a Nintendo Switch and watching movies.
MANHUNT CONTINUES
Drummond is 5’10” and weighs 190 lbs, and he’s been described as armed and dangerous.
Officials have warned the public not to approach the suspect if they believe they see him.
In an exclusive conversation with The U.S. Sun, Wilson’s heartbroken father mourned his son, saying he and his girlfriend were the “best parents anyone could ask for.”
Matthew is was my first born. He made me a granddaddy first,” Matt Wilson said.
“He was a strong willed boy. He loved his two younger brothers and two younger sisters.
“He was definitely their protector. He was always there for everyone.
“I miss my son and I miss Adrianna. I will never left [sic] my grandbaby forget them as long as I live.
“They loved her so much. They loved her more than life itself.”
