The Drummond Murders: A Timeline of Terror
- Cassian Creed
- Aug 8
- 7 min read
Here is a detailed timeline of the main events and a cast of characters based on the provided sources:
Timeline of Events of the Drummond Murders
2011:
Austin Robert Drummond pleads guilty to evading arrest and attempted burglary in Jacksonville, Tennessee. He receives 24 hours of community service.
2013 (when Austin Drummond was 17 years old):
Austin Drummond successfully robs a gas station in Jackson at gunpoint for $44. He is found guilty and sentenced to a 13-year prison sentence for aggravated robbery and retaliation for past actions.
September 1, 2024:
Austin Drummond's 13-year prison sentence for aggravated robbery and retaliation ends, and he is released from the Tennessee Department of Correction’s facility in Tiptonville.
On the day of his release, Drummond is hit with multiple new charges in Lake County, including gun, drugs, and contraband violations related to being in a penal facility. He bonds out on these charges.
December 12, 2024:
While incarcerated, Austin Drummond is charged with attempted first-degree murder for trying to kill someone in prison. He is out on bond for this charge at the time of the quadruple murder.
July 29, 2025 (Tuesday):
3:11 PM: The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office receives a call about an infant girl found in a car seat on a residence's front yard in Tigrett, roughly 40 miles from Tiptonville. A witness observed a dark-colored minivan or white mid-size SUV dropping off the infant.
Around 4:00 PM: Dyer County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) posts a photo of the infant on Facebook seeking public help to identify her and her family.
Around 5:00 PM: The infant and her parents are identified. DCSO asks for help contacting Cortney Rose, Matthew Wilson, and Adrianna Williams.
10:51 PM: DCSO announces they are working with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office regarding a crime scene north of Tiptonville on Carrington Road, where four individuals were found deceased. Their identities are withheld. Investigators determine the four relatives had not been seen since the night before. A relative calls 911 after finding two vehicles in a remote area, and the bodies are found in nearby woods.
July 30, 2025 (Wednesday):
Just before 10:00 PM: DCSO posts that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating the deaths of the four individuals, identifying them as James M. Wilson (21), Adrianna Williams (20), Cortney Rose (38), and Braydon Williams (15). Wilson and Adrianna Williams are identified as the parents of the abandoned infant, Cortney Rose as Adrianna and Braydon Williams’ mother, and Braydon Williams as Adrianna's brother and the infant's maternal uncle.
July 31, 2025 (Thursday):
Late Morning: TBI identifies Austin Robert Drummond (28) as the main suspect in the quadruple murder. He 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 is described as armed and dangerous and believed to be driving a white 2016 Audi A3 with Tennessee license plate RI 01896.
Early Afternoon: Drummond is placed on TBI’s Most Wanted list with a $2,500 reward offered for information leading to his arrest.
That Night: The reward money for Drummond's capture increases to $15,000, with TBI and the U.S. Marshals Service each offering $7,500.
August 1, 2025 (Friday):
Austin Drummond's Audi A3 is found abandoned at the dead end of MCO Road in Jackson, Tennessee, approximately 70-74 miles from the crime scene and 40 miles from where the baby was left. It appears Drummond had been living in the car.
TBI Director David Rausch, U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller, and District Attorney Danny Goodman hold a press conference in Jackson regarding the case and the discovery of the vehicle. Law enforcement urges Drummond to turn himself in.
August 2, 2025 (Saturday):
The 1988 red and white Ford pickup truck that James M. Wilson had been driving the last known time he was seen (July 29, 6:30 AM) is located near Burnt Mill Road in Dyer County.
Tanaka Brown (29) is arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Giovonte Thomas (29) is arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. He was already in Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge.
August 3, 2025 (Sunday):
The U.S. Marshals Service increases its portion of the reward for information leading to Drummond's arrest to $10,000, making the total reward $17,500.
Security footage from a citizen's home camera system shows Austin Drummond, wearing camouflage and carrying a firearm, attempting to enter buildings at Cornerstone Church and a shed or barn at a home on Pipkin Road in Jackson.
August 4, 2025 (Monday):
Early Morning: Dearrah Sanders (23) is arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. She is booked into Lake County Jail.
Late Morning: Police receive a report of a possible sighting of Austin Drummond in the area of Oilwell Road and Pleasant Plains Extension in North Jackson, near West Jackson Baptist Church and Union University. A large police presence, including SWAT teams, TBI agents, and Tennessee Highway Patrol, mobilizes in the area. Roads are blocked off.
Union University and Jackson Christian School are advised to lock down. Law enforcement conducts searches in the Cherry Grove Apartments area, which is nearby.
Governor Bill Lee's office announces an additional $10,000 reward, and Crime Stoppers adds $5,000 ($2,500 each from Dyer County and 731 Jackson), bringing the total reward money for Drummond's arrest to $32,500.
ABC24 reports that Brendan Pal is charged with possession of scheduled six drugs and criminal conspiracy in connection to the case. This is presented as a fourth arrest, though the exact nature of his involvement with the quadruple murder charges (accessory vs. conspiracy) is noted as initially unclear, with conspiracy implying a larger role.
August 5, 2025 (Tuesday):
9:12 AM: Jackson Police Department officials announce the capture and arrest of Austin Robert Drummond, ending a days-long manhunt.
9:15 AM: A shelter-in-place order is briefly issued for residents in the Saddlebrook Drive and Bridlepath Drive area following a reported sighting, just minutes before Drummond's capture is confirmed.
Drummond is taken into custody without further incident in Jackson.
He is expected in court in Tiptonville for an arraignment later in the week. The District Attorney states it is "very likely" he will seek the death penalty.
August 6, 2025 (Wednesday):
News reports confirm Drummond’s arrest and the details of the ongoing investigation.
August 8, 2025 (Friday):
Court TV reports that prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for Austin Drummond, announced at a Thursday court hearing.
Cast of Characters
Main Suspect & Accomplices:
Austin Robert Drummond (28): The primary suspect in the quadruple homicide. He has an extensive criminal history, including an aggravated robbery conviction at 17 (serving a 13-year sentence until September 2024), retaliation, and an attempted murder charge while incarcerated (for which he was out on bond). He is accused of murdering four family members and abandoning an infant. He was on the run for days before his capture in Jackson, Tennessee. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping, and weapons offenses.
Tanaka Brown (29): Charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Alleged to have assisted Austin Drummond after the murders.
Giovonte Thomas (29): Charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Alleged to have assisted Austin Drummond after the murders. He was already in custody on an unrelated charge.
Dearrah Sanders (23): Charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Alleged to have assisted Austin Drummond following the murders. She was also previously on probation for an unknown violation.
Brendan Pal (likely 29): Charged with possession of scheduled six drugs and criminal conspiracy. He was linked to the apartment complex where others were arrested and speculated to have a more significant role (conspiracy) than the accessory charges, indicating possible assistance before or during the crime. He is also referred to as "Fat Fox the God" and owns Xavier's Car Service LLC.
Victims:
James M. Wilson (21): Father of the abandoned infant. One of the four murder victims found in Tiptonville.
Adrianna Williams (20): Mother of the abandoned infant. Daughter of Cortney Rose and sister of Braydon Williams. One of the four murder victims found in Tiptonville.
Cortney Rose (38): Maternal grandmother of the abandoned infant. Mother of Adrianna and Braydon Williams. One of the four murder victims found in Tiptonville. Austin Drummond reportedly had a relationship with her half-sister.
Braydon Williams (15): Maternal uncle of the abandoned infant. Son of Cortney Rose and brother of Adrianna Williams. One of the four murder victims found in Tiptonville.
Law Enforcement & Officials:
David Rausch: Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). He stated that authorities believe the family murders were a targeted attack by Drummond, who had a relationship with the victims.
Danny Goodman Jr.: District Attorney General for the 29th Judicial District of Tennessee (Dyer and Lake Counties). He confirmed Drummond was out on bond for an attempted murder charge from 2024 when the quadruple murder occurred and indicated it was a targeted attack. He stated it was "very likely" he would seek the death penalty for Drummond.
Sheriff Jeff Box: Dyer County Sheriff. He expressed sadness for the community and commitment to justice.
U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller: Emphasized the priority of apprehending Drummond and offered a reward for information.
Chief Thom Corley: Jackson Police Chief. Credited public tips for Drummond's arrest.
Nick Harris: Tennessee Reporter. Provided early reports and information during the manhunt, including details about the possible sighting and federal charges.
Burton Stags: A local reporter covering true crime cases in the area.
Mike Serani: WREG News Channel 3 reporter. Reported live from the scene of police activity in Jackson.
Ryan Brooks: WBBJ7 Eyewitness News reporter. Reported live from the scene in Jackson.
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