Authorities in Tennessee are urgently searching for a 28-year-old man now accused in a horrifying quadruple homicide that left four family members dead.
Suspect identified in quadruple homicide that saw baby abandoned
The “execution-style” killing was reportedly carried out just moments after a baby girl was discovered abandoned in a car seat on a stranger’s lawn.
The suspect, identified as Austin Drummond, has been named by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as the man wanted in connection with a quadruple homicide of victims from Dyer County, all of whom authorities believe were known to him.
“The victims were all from Dyer County, and we suspect the person that killed them knew all of them,” said Danny Goodman Jr., district attorney for Tennessee’s 29th Judicial District, in an interview on Thursday.
Drummond is now at the center of an intense manhunt. Law enforcement officials have described him as armed and dangerous and warned the public not to approach him.
He was added to Tennessee’s most wanted list Thursday as authorities distributed his photos online and announced a $15,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
According to investigators, the disturbing sequence of events began just after 3 p.m. Tuesday in a quiet section of northwest Tennessee.
A resident reported seeing a dark-colored minivan or a white SUV pull into their yard before someone placed a car seat on the front lawn and then sped away. Inside the car seat was an infant girl—later determined to be unharmed.
Emergency crews from the Crockett County Ambulance Service responded rapidly. While the baby received medical attention and was taken into protective custody, law enforcement began working to identify her family. That investigation quickly took a darker turn.
Baby’s family members found dead in brutal quadruple homicide
Only a few hours later, a gruesome discovery was made roughly 25 miles away in Lake County.
Four bodies were located deep in a wooded area, and by the next day, they were identified as the immediate family members of the abandoned child.
The victims were named as Adrianna Williams, 20, the baby’s mother; Matthew Wilson, 21, Adrianna’s father; Cortney Rose, 38, the child’s maternal grandmother; and 15-year-old Braydon Williams, Adrianna’s younger brother.
“This is a deeply saddening day for our community,” said Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box. “We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed that they are conducting a full-scale investigation into the quadruple homicide and manhunt.
Lock Them Up! Russiagate is reigniting…
Obama, Clinton, Comey, and Brennan are all on the hook!
CLICK HERE to demand Russiagate conspirators got to prison!
“Right now, we believe the victims were targeted,” Goodman said. “This does not appear to be a random act.”
Investigators are still trying to determine the timeline of the events, including whether the suspect drove directly from the murder scene to drop off the baby—or if the infant was left beforehand.
Authorities said it is likely the child was abandoned mere minutes before or after the murders occurred.
Officials have not yet released details about the conditions of the bodies or the exact cause of death, but described the scene as a calculated and brutal killing, pointing to execution-style methods.
The motive behind the slayings remains unclear. Drummond, the suspect now being hunted, has a long criminal record, including a conviction for armed robbery in Madison County in 2014. Records indicate that he completed his sentence last September.
Court documents from Lake County also show that Drummond was charged just two months after his release with attempted murder and drug-related offenses.
Prosecutors allege those charges stem from incidents that occurred while he was still incarcerated at the Northwest Correctional Complex.
He was released on bond in that case at the time of the quadruple killing, according to Goodman.
Authorities have yet to identify the weapon or weapons used in the killings. It also remains unclear if the vehicles spotted by witnesses match any vehicle recovered in the investigation.
While the orphaned baby remains in state custody, state officials are asking the public to remain alert.
Local police have asked residents to review security or doorbell footage, report any sightings of Drummond, and contact law enforcement with any relevant information.
The TBI reiterated in a press release that “Drummond remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous.”
Lake County Sheriff Bryan Avery said his department remains fully committed to aiding the TBI in what officials are describing as one of the most troubling cases in recent Tennessee history.
“This remains a very active and ongoing investigation, and we want to assure the public that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading this case with the highest level of diligence and professionalism,” Sheriff Avery said.
Suspect in Arkansas hiker killing arrested
In a completely separate case that also shocked residents in the region, authorities in Arkansas arrested a 28-year-old man for allegedly carrying out a “random” double homicide in a popular state park just days earlier.
According to Arkansas State Police, Andrew James McGann of Springdale has confessed to murdering Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, while the couple hiked with their two daughters in Devil’s Den State Park on July 26.
Police say McGann attacked the couple roughly half a mile into the trail. Clinton Brink was reportedly the first victim, and authorities believe Cristen Brink moved their daughters to safety before returning to confront the attacker.
“We believe that the mother took them to safety, and then returned to help her husband,” said Major Stacie Rhoads during a Thursday press briefing.
The couple’s children, ages 7 and 9, were not harmed, officials confirmed.
McGann was arrested late Wednesday at a Springdale barbershop, roughly 30 miles from the scene.
Officials said he later confessed to the attack during an interview. According to Arkansas State Police Director Col. Mike Hagar, DNA evidence recovered at the scene matched McGann’s.
He reportedly sustained cuts on his hands during the attack, which matched blood found at the scene.
Authorities also recovered knives and other items from McGann’s home, some of which police say are consistent with evidence tied to the murders.
McGann had recently relocated to the area from Oklahoma and had accepted a position at a local school, law enforcement officials said.
Asked whether McGann had any relationship to the Brinks, Hagar replied, “We have no reason to believe that there was any known association between our suspects and our victims.”
Authorities have said both victims died from stab wounds. While several knives were collected from McGann’s residence, police have yet to confirm if any were definitively used in the attack.
“This appears to be a completely random event,” Hagar said during the briefing.
McGann is now facing two charges of capital murder. His arrest came after a days-long search in the area and intense public pressure.
