Quadruple murder suspect's Tennessee companions detained by authorities.
In a chilling turn of events, the manhunt for Austin Drummond, the primary suspect in a quadruple homicide in Tiptonville, Tennessee, is still ongoing. The victims, James M. Wilson, 21, Adrianna Williams, 20, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15, were discovered in Tiptonville on Tuesday, August 1, 2025.
Drummond, who has a criminal history that includes 13 years in a Tennessee prison for aggravated robbery and retaliation, was released from prison on September 1, 2024. Authorities urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to call immediately. U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller has offered an anonymous tip and a reward of $17,500 for information leading to his arrest. Drummond should be considered armed and dangerous, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Two individuals, Giovonte Thomas and Tanaka Brown, have been arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to 1st Degree Murder in connection with the manhunt for Austin Drummond. Thomas was already being held in the Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge for Failure to Appear. He will be transferred to the Lake County Jail to be arraigned on the new charges. Tanaka Brown is being held at the Lake County Jail without bond.
The abandoned vehicle connected to the manhunt was found last Friday by the Jackson Police Department. The white 2016 Audi A3, believed to have been driven by Drummond, was located in Jackson, a city about 70 miles southeast of Tiptonville. Additionally, a white 1988 Ford pickup truck with a red stripe, believed to belong to Drummond, was found in Dyer County. These vehicles were part of the search efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service.
The quadruple homicide occurred last week in Tiptonville, a town located approximately 125 miles from Memphis, Tennessee. The report was contributed to by Julia Bonavita. In a tragic twist, an infant found on the front lawn of a random individual's house is related to all four victims, who are identified as family members of Drummond's girlfriend.
Former Assistant FBI Director Chris Swecker discussed the investigation into the quadruple homicide and the manhunt for Austin Drummond. Drummond is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping, and weapons offenses. As of Monday, Drummond remains at large.
[1] Source: Tennessee Department of Corrections [3] Source: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
- Politics surrounding war-and-conflicts and general-news reports indicate a manhunt for Austin Drummond, a man with a criminal history, who is the primary suspect in a quadruple homicide, is still ongoing.
- Crime-and-justice news outlets continue to cover the arrests of two individuals, Giovonte Thomas and Tanaka Brown, charged with accessory after the fact to 1st Degree Murder in connection with the manhunt for Austin Drummond, the arrested individuals being reported to be held in various county jails without or with bond.
