Authorities in West Tennessee are investigating a horrific homicide case that left four family members dead and a 7-month-old baby girl miraculously found alive after being abandoned in a stranger’s yard. The Dyer County District Attorney’s Office identified the victims as 21-year-old Matthew Wilson, 20-year-old Adrianna Williams, 38-year-old Cortney Rose, and 15-year-old Braydon Williams—the baby’s father, mother, maternal grandmother, and maternal uncle, respectively.
Their bodies were discovered late Tuesday night on Carrington Road in Tiptonville, approximately 40 miles from where the infant was found alone in her car seat earlier that day. Authorities have named 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond as the primary suspect in the case.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest on several charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, four counts of firearm possession as a felon, and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. The motive and circumstances surrounding the killings remain under investigation.
However, Dyer and Lake County District Attorney Danny Goodman stated that the murders were not random. “This is a deeply saddening day for our community. We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served,” Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box wrote in a public statement posted to Facebook.
The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies to locate Drummond and bring him to justice. Family friends and local residents have been left shaken by the tragedy. Amy Anderson, a close friend of the family, spoke with WREG 3 about the heartbreak and the lives lost.
“They’re devastated. We’re just thankful that the baby was spared, grateful for that,” she said. “They were really good people. Adrianna was the sweetest person; she loved being a mama.” Of the other victims, Anderson added, “He [Matthew] was a wonderful daddy. He loved the baby… And Cortney, she loved her kids.”
She also urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow investigators to do their work. “It’s tragic. It’s tearing everybody apart. I just wish everybody would slow down on the rumors and wait until stuff is actually put out there… so that there’s no more heartache than what already is,” Anderson said.
The TBI is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for any information leading to Drummond’s arrest. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.