Austin Drummond Quadruple Homicide: Study Guide

Austin Drummond: The Tiptonville Terror. A deep, analytical dive into the heart of the Tiptonville murders. Our investigation reconstructs the shocking crime that left four family members dead and a 7-month-old infant as the sole survivor. In partnership with our proprietary Forensic Analysis Engine, AI-AL, we dissect the evidence with a precision that transcends traditional techniques to answer not just "who" did this, but "why".▶️ Order on Amazon Now ◀️

Austin Drummond Quadruple Homicide: Comprehensive Study Guide

This study guide is designed to review your understanding of the Austin Drummond quadruple homicide case, based on the provided source materials.

I. Case Summary and Key Events

A. The Crime and Discovery

• Date of Discovery: July 29, 2025 (infant), July 30, 2025 (bodies).

• Location of Infant Discovery: Front yard of a random individual's house in Tigrett, Tennessee (Dyer County).

• Location of Bodies Discovery: Wooded area north of Tiptonville, Lake County, Tennessee, on Carrington Road, approximately 40 miles (64.37 km) from where the baby was found.

• Victims Identified:James M. Wilson, 21 (father of the infant)

• Adrianna Williams, 20 (mother of the infant)

• Cortney Rose, 38 (maternal grandmother of the infant, mother of Adrianna and Braydon Williams)

• Braydon Williams, 15 (maternal uncle of the infant, brother of Adrianna Williams)

• Nature of Deaths: Shot to death.

• Infant's Status: Found alive and safe, being cared for by relatives.

B. The Suspect: Austin Robert Drummond

• Age: 28 years old (turns 29 on August 31st).

• Relationship to Victims: Had a relationship with the victims; was dating Rose's half-sister. The attack was targeted, not random.

• Charges: 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. He was also charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (Title 18 USC section 1073).

• Criminal History:2011: Pleaded guilty to evading arrest and attempted burglary (Jacksonville, TN).

• Age 17: Robbed a gas station at gunpoint for $44; served a 13-year sentence for aggravated robbery and retaliation for past actions (threatening jurors).

• December 12, 2024: Charged with attempted first-degree murder while in prison, and contraband in a penal facility. He was released on bond for these charges despite denied parole for his previous conviction.

• Post-release: Additional charges for meth, contraband, and unlawful telecommunication devices in a penal facility.

• Manhunt and Capture:Considered armed and dangerous.

• Believed to be driving a 2016 Audi A3 (found in Jackson, TN, on August 1, 2025).

• Reward money for his arrest increased to $32,500 ($7,500 from U.S. Marshals, $7,500 from TBI, $10,000 from Gov. Bill Lee's office, $5,000 from Crime Stoppers).

• Apprehended on August 5, 2025, in Jackson, Tennessee, following a community tip and a search near Cherry Grove Apartments. He was found in a vacant building near the woods.

C. Co-conspirators/Accessories

• Tanaka Brown, 29: Charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

• Giovonte Thomas, 29: Charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

• Dearrah Sanders, 23: Charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. She was on probation for a previous violation.

• Brandon Pal (aka Fat Fox the God): Charged with possession of Schedule VI drugs and criminal conspiracy. He was also involved in the apartment raid. He is believed to have a more significant role due to the conspiracy charge.

• Allegations: These individuals are accused of assisting Drummond after the murders, including helping him escape or providing transportation.

D. Law Enforcement Involvement

• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)

• Dyer County Police Department

• Lake County Sheriff's Office

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

• U.S. Marshals Service (Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force)

• Tiptonville Police Department

• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

• Tennessee State Parks

• Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)

• Jackson Police Department

• Crockett County Sheriff's Department

• Madison County Sheriff’s Office

II. Study Questions

A. Short-Answer Questions (2-3 sentences each)

1. Where and when were the infant and the bodies discovered in relation to each other?

2. Who are the four victims of the homicide, and how are they related to the abandoned infant?

3. What is Austin Drummond's primary relationship to the victims, and what does law enforcement believe about the nature of the attack?

4. Describe Austin Drummond's criminal history prior to the quadruple homicide.

5. What specific charges does Austin Drummond face in connection with the quadruple homicide?

6. Identify two individuals charged as accessories after the fact in this case and their alleged involvement.

7. What role did community tips play in the apprehension of Austin Drummond?

8. How far was Drummond's abandoned vehicle found from the crime scene and the baby's location?

9. What significant aspect of Drummond's criminal history allowed him to be out on bond despite a pending attempted murder charge?

10. What was the total reward offered for information leading to Austin Drummond's arrest, and which agencies contributed?

B. Short-Answer Quiz Answer Key

1. The infant was found on July 29, 2025, in Tigrett, Dyer County, Tennessee. The bodies were discovered the following day, July 30, 2025, in a wooded area near Tiptonville, Lake County, approximately 40 miles away from where the baby was found.

2. The four victims are James M. Wilson (21), Adrianna Williams (20), Cortney Rose (38), and Braydon Williams (15). James and Adrianna were the infant's parents, Cortney was the maternal grandmother, and Braydon was the maternal uncle.

3. Austin Drummond had a relationship with the victims, specifically dating Cortney Rose's half-sister. Law enforcement believes the attack was a targeted act by Drummond, not a random incident, indicating a prior connection.

4. Drummond has an extensive criminal history, including attempted burglary at age 15, armed robbery at age 17 (resulting in a 13-year prison sentence), and attempted first-degree murder while incarcerated in 2024. He was out on bond for this attempted murder charge at the time of the quadruple homicide.

5. Austin Drummond is charged 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. He also faces a federal charge for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

6. Tanaka Brown and Giovonte Thomas were charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, with Tanaka Brown also facing a tampering with evidence charge. They allegedly assisted Austin Drummond after the murders.

7. Community tips were crucial in the apprehension of Austin Drummond. After police released security footage of him and increased the reward, two tips from community members led officers to his location in Jackson, where he was found in a vacant building.

8. Drummond's abandoned 2016 Audi A3 was found in Jackson, Tennessee. This location is approximately 70 miles (113 km) from where the bodies were discovered in Tiptonville and about 40 miles from where the baby was left in Tigrett.

9. Drummond was released from prison after serving his full sentence for aggravated robbery and retaliation. He was out on bond for an attempted first-degree murder charge that occurred while he was incarcerated, as these new charges were pending and he was able to post bond after being transferred to Lake County.

10. The total reward offered for Austin Drummond's arrest reached $32,500. This amount was a combined effort from the U.S. Marshals Service ($10,000), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation ($7,500), Governor Bill Lee's office ($10,000), and Crime Stoppers ($5,000 from Dyer County and 731 Jackson).

C. Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the timeline of events from the discovery of the infant to Austin Drummond's capture. How did the actions of law enforcement agencies and public cooperation contribute to the progression of the investigation?

2. Analyze Austin Drummond's extensive criminal history. To what extent do his past offenses, including charges while incarcerated and subsequent release on bond, suggest a pattern of escalating violence or a failure of the justice system to adequately address his dangerousness?

3. Evaluate the roles of the individuals charged as accessories after the fact (Tanaka Brown, Giovonte Thomas, Dearrah Sanders, and Brandon Pal). How do their alleged actions demonstrate the legal definition of "accessory after the fact" and "criminal conspiracy," and what implications might their involvement have for the overall case?

4. Examine the public's reaction and the community's state of fear during the manhunt for Austin Drummond. How did official communications and media reports influence public perception and safety measures in the affected areas?

5. Consider the details surrounding the abandonment of the infant. What theories or questions arise from Drummond's decision to leave the baby alive, particularly in contrast to the quadruple murder of her family members?

III. Glossary of Key Terms

• Accessory After the Fact: A legal term describing someone who, knowing a crime has been committed, helps the criminal escape arrest or punishment. This assistance occurs after the crime has been committed.

• Aggravated Kidnapping: The unlawful seizing, confining, or carrying away of another person by force or fraud, with additional circumstances that make the crime more serious, such as for ransom or to inflict bodily harm.

• Aggravated Robbery: Robbery committed with aggravating circumstances, such as using a deadly weapon or causing serious bodily injury to the victim.

• Arraignment: A formal hearing in court where a criminal defendant is read the charges against them and is asked to enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).

• Bond: A sum of money pledged to a court to secure the temporary release of an arrested person, with the understanding that they will appear for trial or forfeit the money.

• Contraband in a Penal Facility: Items prohibited within a prison or correctional facility, often including drugs, weapons, or unauthorized communication devices.

• Criminal Conspiracy: An agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime, often requiring an overt act in furtherance of the agreement. This assistance is typically provided before or during the commission of the crime.

• Dyer County: A county in West Tennessee where the infant was discovered.

• Felon in Possession of a Firearm: A criminal charge against an individual who has been convicted of a felony and is found to be in possession of a firearm, which is illegal under federal and state laws.

• First-Degree Murder: Premeditated and intentional killing of another human being, often considered the most serious type of homicide.

• Jackson, Tennessee: A city where Austin Drummond was from, where his vehicle was found, and where he was eventually apprehended.

• Lake County: A county in West Tennessee where the bodies of the four victims were discovered, north of Tiptonville.

• Manhunt: An organized search for a criminal, especially one who is a fugitive.

• Parole: The conditional release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence, often subject to supervision and specific conditions.

• Penal Facility: A prison or other institution where offenders are confined.

• Quadruple Homicide: The murder of four individuals.

• Retaliation: An act of revenge or retribution against someone for actions they have taken, in this case, threatening jurors.

• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI): A state-level law enforcement agency in Tennessee responsible for investigating complex criminal cases.

• Tigrett, Tennessee: The area in Dyer County where the abandoned infant was found.

• Tiptonville, Tennessee: A small community in Lake County, West Tennessee, near where the bodies were discovered.

• Targeted Attack: An act of violence directed specifically at particular individuals, as opposed to a random act.

• Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP): A federal charge under Title 18 USC section 1073, applied when an individual crosses state lines or international borders to avoid prosecution, custody, or testifying in a criminal proceeding.

• U.S. Marshals Service: A federal law enforcement agency responsible for judicial security, prisoner transport, witness protection, and fugitive apprehension.