Police ID Suspect in Slayings of Abandoned Baby’s 4 Family Members: What We Know About the Case

By Nicole Acosta | Published July 31, 2025

A heartbreaking tragedy has gripped rural western Tennessee as authorities continue their manhunt for Austin Robert Drummond, a 29-year-old suspect identified in connection with the brutal slayings of four family members and the abandonment of a 7-month-old infant.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), in collaboration with the FBI, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and Dyer County authorities, is actively pursuing Drummond, who is considered armed and dangerous.

📍 Timeline of Events

July 29, 2025 – Abandoned Infant Discovered

At approximately 3:11 p.m., the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a resident on Old Highway 20 near the Tigrett area. The caller reported seeing a car seat placed in a front yard by an unknown vehicle—described as either a dark-colored minivan or white mid-size SUV.

Inside the car seat was a 7-month-old baby girl, left alone in sweltering heat. Thanks to a neighbor’s quick reaction, the infant was rescued before sustaining injuries. Authorities launched a search to identify and contact the child’s family.

10:26 p.m. – Family Members Reported Missing

Hours after the baby was found, a 911 call reported that Cortney Rose (38) and her daughter, Adrianna Williams (20), were missing. Family members told dispatchers they were searching a home using flashlights, indicating concern for their safety.

Overnight – Four Bodies Discovered in Lake County

Authorities confirmed later that night that four individuals had been found dead on Carrington Road in Tiptonville, a rural part of Lake County, located about 25 miles north of Dyer County.

The victims were identified as:

Adrianna Williams (20) – mother of the abandoned infant
James M. Wilson (21) – father of the infant
Cortney Rose (38) – grandmother
Braydon Williams (15) – uncle

All four were confirmed to be direct relatives of the baby girl, who had been left behind earlier that day. The circumstances of the murders have not been fully disclosed, but authorities have labeled all four deaths as homicides.

🔍 The Suspect: Austin Robert Drummond

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation publicly named Austin Robert Drummond as the prime suspect in the quadruple homicide and infant abandonment case.

Age: 29
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 190 lbs.
Features: Blue eyes, brown hair, goatee (appearance may have changed)
Vehicle: White Audi A3 sedan, Tennessee plate RI 01896, with driver-side damage

Drummond is currently wanted on multiple charges, including:

Four counts of first-degree murder
Kidnapping
Unlawful possession of a firearm

Law enforcement officials say Drummond should not be approached, as he is likely armed and extremely dangerous.

⚖️ Legal and Investigative Response

District Attorney General Danny Goodman Jr. confirmed the relationship between the victims and the infant and classified their deaths as premeditated murders. Although investigators have not publicly confirmed Drummond’s connection to the victims, he has become the central figure in the unfolding investigation.

The TBI, FBI, and multiple local agencies are involved in a widespread search. Surveillance footage, phone records, and forensic evidence are being reviewed to determine Drummond’s movements before and after the crime.

💔 Community in Shock

The small communities of Dyer County and Lake County are grappling with shock and grief. Many residents say the scale and cruelty of this crime are unlike anything the region has seen before.

Photos of the victims—shared by loved ones on social media—depict a close-knit family whose lives were violently cut short. Adrianna and James, young parents, were described as devoted to their infant daughter. Cortney, Adrianna’s mother, was a constant caregiver and support system. Braydon, just 15, was a beloved younger brother, remembered for his kindness and humor.

🙏 The Infant’s Condition and Custody

Miraculously, the baby girl was found unharmed. Authorities confirmed she was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation and is now in the custody of child protective services, with efforts underway to place her with surviving relatives. The child, now orphaned, is the sole living member of the immediate family involved in this tragedy.

📢 How to Help / Submit Tips

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is urging the public to remain vigilant.

If you have seen Austin Robert Drummond or have any information about the case or his whereabouts, contact:

TBI Tip Line: 📞 1-800-TBI-FIND
Submit an anonymous tip online: www.tn.gov/tbi

A reward may be available for information leading to his arrest.

🕯️ In Memory

“No one is truly gone as long as their love lives on in those who remember.”

This devastating crime has torn apart an entire family and left a child without her parents. As the investigation continues and the community mourns, many have called for justice—not just for the victims, but for the baby whose life will be forever shaped by this horrific act.

May Adrianna Williams, James M. Wilson, Cortney Rose, and Braydon Williams rest in peace. And may their story spark the justice and accountability they so deeply deserve.

Police ID Suspect in Slayings of Abandoned Baby’s 4 Family Members: What We Know About the Case