CAPTURED! Quadruple Murder Suspect Austin Drummond is Now in Custody

WEST TENNESSEE (August 5) — The week-long manhunt for a quadruple murder suspect that has spanned at least three counties in West Tennessee (Dyer, Lake and Madison) and prompted the involvement of several law enforcement agencies finally came to an end on Tuesday morning when a good samaritan, Ricardo Cantreras, in Jackson spotted the suspect, Austin Drummond, walking in the woods and called the police. 

The manhunt started last Tuesday, July 29,  when four bodies were recovered along Carrington Road in Tiptonville in Lake County, Tenn. and an infant related to the deceased was found in a resident’s front yard in Dyer County, unharmed. 

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), has charged Austin Robert Drummond, 28 (DOB 8/31/96), 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 the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. Drummond is a white male approximately 5'10" and 190 lbs. with blue eyes and dark blond hair. TBI warned that he may have altered his appearance. When Drummond was captured he had shaved off his mustache and goatee. 

On Monday, the area around Union University in North Jackson was on lock down as authorities continued to search for the fugitive. There was a confirmed sighting of Drummond in the 700 block of Pipkin Road on Sunday night. He was believed to still be in the Jackson area.

The deceased have been identified as: James Matthew Wilson II, 21; Adrianna Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15. Matthew Wilson and Adrianna Williams were the parents of the infant, Cortney Rose was the maternal grandmother and Braydon Williams was an uncle.

Three suspects have been arrested and charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder, for helping Drummond: 29-year-old male Tanaka Brown (DOB 11/17/1995), 29-year-old male Giovonte Thomas (DOB 3/24/1996) and 23-year-old female Dearrah Sanders (DOB 2/10/2002), all of Jackson, Tenn. Drummond has ties to Jackson as well.

On Saturday, one count of Tampering with Evidence was added to Brown’s charges. Thomas was already being held in the Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge for Failure to Appear. He was transferred to Lake County Jail to be arraigned on the new charges. Sanders and Brown are also being held in Lake County Jail.

Jackson Mayor Scott Conger offered this statement regarding the good samaritan that called police leading to Drummond's capture, "Ricardo Cantreras is a hero and a great person. Not only did he make the call that led to the arrest of Austin Drummond, he already gives his time to work as a general contractor for the City of Jackson, TN - Government's Love Your Block - Jackson, TN! We need more Ricardos in the world!"

History

This all started on Tuesday, July 29 at approximately 3:11 p.m. when the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a concerning incident on Old Highway 20 near the Tigrett area. A dark-colored minivan or a white mid-size SUV was reported to have dropped off an infant in a car seat at a random individual’s front yard. Thankfully, a witness saw the car seat with the child and called 911.

Medical Center EMS and Crockett County Ambulance Service were called to evaluate the child. A picture was taken of the child in the arms of a paramedic, showing the infant is safe.

The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office quickly identified the infant and around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, stated they wanted to speak with family members Cortney Rose, Matthew Wilson, and Adrianna Williams.

Later that evening, hearts sank as news spread that the family members had been located deceased in neighboring Lake County off of Carrington Road in Tiptonville, Tenn. The TBI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were requested to respond to assist with the incident.

Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box expressed his heartache over this tragic situation, stating, “This is a deeply saddening day for our community. We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”

On Wednesday, after notifying the next of kin, the identities of the deceased were released. By Thursday morning the TBI had named Drummond as a suspect.

The TBI offered a reward of up to $7,500 for information leading to Drummond’s capture; additionally, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) offered a reward of up to $10,000. On Monday, Governor Bill Lee's office added $10,000 to the reward, Dyer County Crime Stoppers added $2,500 and Jackson Crime Stoppers added $2,500. The total combined reward was $32,500.

Drummond was added to the TBI’s Most Wanted list.

“Getting Austin Drummond in custody is a priority. Anyone with information about where we can find him should call us immediately. You will remain anonymous,” said U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the lead agency, and the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is assisting TBI and has adopted the case for a fugitive investigation.

The TBI asked citizens and businesses along Highway 78, from Dyersburg to Lake County, to review their video camera footage from Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for any sightings of the following vehicles: White Nissan Rogue, Black Dodge Charger, Older model White Ford F-150 truck (with a red stripe), White Audi and a White Traverse. All vehicles have been recovered, authorities are requesting video footage.

Agencies working alongside the TBI in this case include the Tiptonville Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the Dyer County Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Tennessee State Parks, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Jackson Police Department, the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Anyone with helpful information regarding this case is asked to call 731-415-7962, 731-333-0811, or 1-800-TBI-FIND. Tipsters can also call the U.S. Deputy Marshals assigned to the case at (901) 406-2044 or (901) 661-2955.

The infant daughter of Adrianna and Matthew is currently safe and with people that love her.

Johnson-Williams Funeral Home in Newbern, Tenn. has charge of the arrangements for all four of the victims. 

James Matthew Wilson II's celebration of life was Tuesday, August 5. Arrangements and obituary are still incomplete for Cortney Rose, Adrianna Williams, and Braydon Williams.

Please be respectful of the families as they grieve.