The Tiptonville Murders: Timeline and Characters
- Cassian Creed
- Aug 14
- 10 min read
Here is a detailed timeline of the main events covered in the sources, followed by a cast of characters with brief bios for each.
Tiptonville Murders: Detailed Timeline
Pre-July 2013:
Austin Robert Drummond (born August 31, 1996) exhibits behavioral problems in kindergarten, escalating through middle and high school, leading to suspensions and eventually dropping out.
Drummond becomes involved with the Vice Lords street gang in Jackson, Tennessee.
July 15, 2013:
Armed Robbery: Austin Drummond, at age 16, robs a Circle K convenience store in Jackson, taking $247. He is caught and charged with aggravated robbery, resisting arrest, and assault on a police officer. The state decides to try him as an adult.
August 2014:
Aggravated Robbery Conviction: Drummond is convicted of aggravated robbery. He threatens the jurors, leading to additional charges.
February 2015:
Retaliation Charges: Drummond pleads guilty to 13 counts of retaliation for past action (for threatening jurors), adding years to his sentence, totaling 13 years. He is classified as a high-risk inmate.
2015-2024:
Incarceration: Drummond serves his sentence at Hardeman County Correctional Facility. He accumulates 27 disciplinary infractions, including fighting, possessing contraband, and gang activity.
2018: Drummond participates in a prison riot, leading to 6 months in solitary confinement.
2020: Madison County District Attorney Jody Pickens opposes Drummond's parole, citing his confirmed Vice Lords membership and danger to society. Parole is denied.
Early 2025: Drummond's tumultuous romantic relationship with Kaitlyn Speed, Cortney Rose's half-sister, deteriorates and ends. Drummond blames Cortney's family for the breakup.
Weeks before July 29, 2025: Drummond begins surveilling the Rose-Williams family, researching their routines and schedules. He conducts internet searches on remote locations, including Carrington Road, and makes purchases like camping equipment and duct tape. He makes veiled threats against the family to various witnesses.
December 12, 2024:
Attempted Murder Charge: While in a transitional facility preparing for release, Drummond allegedly attempts to murder another inmate. Despite this, he is released on bond.
July 15, 2025:
Last Public Social Media Post: Drummond posts a sunset photo with the caption "Changes coming."
July 28, 2025 (Monday):
8:47 PM: Adrianna Williams makes her last social media post, a photo of Weslynne with the caption "Seven months old today! Time slow down! 💕"
9:15 PM: Cortney Rose calls her sister Barbara Henderson for their nightly chat.
11:47 PM: James Matthew Wilson buys gas at Tiger Mart on Highway 78. Braydon Williams plays Fortnite with friends, signing off around 11:47 PM.
July 29, 2025 (Tuesday) - Day of Murders and Discovery:
~11:30 PM (July 28) - 6:30 AM (July 29): Austin Drummond gains control over the Rose/Williams/Wilson family (Cortney, Adrianna, James, Braydon, and infant Weslynne) near or at their home in Lake County, likely through coercion.
6:03 AM: James Matthew Wilson clocks out from his night shift at Daltile Manufacturing in Dyersburg.
6:24 AM: James's phone last pings a tower near his workplace, consistent with him leaving work.
6:32 AM: James texts Adrianna "Heading home baby. See you in 20." The message is read by Adrianna at 6:33 AM.
6:43 AM: James Wilson's phone stops transmitting signal near Highway 78 and Old State Route 3.
6:45 AM: Adrianna Williams's phone stops transmitting data at their Maple Street home.
6:47 AM: Cortney Rose's phone stops transmitting signal at her home.
6:48 AM: Braydon Williams's phone stops transmitting signal at his home.
~7:00 AM - 10:00 AM: The murders of Cortney Rose, Adrianna Williams, James Matthew Wilson II, and Braydon Williams occur in the woods off Carrington Road in Tiptonville, Lake County.
~7:15 AM: Two vehicles (later identified as family vehicles) arrive at Carrington Road.
~7:17 AM: Two vehicles pass Tommy Jackson's security camera near Carrington Road.
~7:31 AM: A dark SUV follows the two vehicles, arriving at Carrington Road.
~9:00 AM: Baby Weslynne is fed formula (medical evidence).
~9:23 AM: A single vehicle leaves Carrington Road.
3:11 PM: A woman in Tigrett, Dyer County, calls 911 to report finding a seven-month-old baby girl (Weslynne Wilson) abandoned in a car seat in her front yard on Old Highway 20. The infant is unharmed, placed in the shade.
4:15 PM: Dyer County Sheriff's Office posts Weslynne's photo on Facebook, asking for help identifying her.
~4:47 PM: Family members and community members begin identifying the baby as Weslynne Wilson.
5:03 PM: The abandoned baby case merges with reports of missing family members.
5:23 PM: Lake County deputies arrive at the Wilson-Williams residence on Maple Street in Lake County, find it quiet and empty.
7:47 PM: A relative, Larry Williams, calls 911, reporting two family vehicles (James's truck and another) abandoned in a remote fishing spot off Carrington Road in Lake County.
8:23 PM: District Attorney Danny Goodman formally requests TBI assistance.
~11:00 PM: Search teams locate four bodies in a clearing about 200 yards from the abandoned vehicles on Carrington Road.
~11:17 PM: TBI Special Agent Michael Evans arrives at the crime scene.
~11:45 PM: Portable LED lights illuminate the crime scene; evidence markers are placed.
July 30, 2025 (Wednesday):
12:30 AM: Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Garrison arrives at the crime scene for preliminary examination of the bodies.
6:00 AM: A GoFundMe page for baby Weslynne is launched and quickly exceeds its goal.
Morning: The TBI takes over the case, establishing it as a targeted attack. The investigation identifies Austin Robert Drummond as the primary suspect.
Throughout the day: TBI Evidence Response Team processes the crime scene, collecting 347 pieces of evidence including 9 .40 caliber shell casings, blood, shoe impressions, and trace fibers.
Later in the day: Madison County Sheriff's deputies join Jackson Police in searching the city, focusing on areas with gang activity.
July 31, 2025 (Thursday):
10:47 AM: The manhunt for Austin Robert Drummond officially begins with a TBI press conference at their Jackson field office. Warrants are issued for Drummond's arrest on 4 counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and multiple firearms violations. He is added to TBI's Most Wanted list.
Evening: Drummond's white 2016 Audi A3 is found abandoned on MCO Road in Jackson.
August 1, 2025 (Friday):
6:30 AM: Tanaka Brown, 29, is arrested in Jackson, charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Daytime: District Attorney Danny Goodman confirms the murders were "targeted" and "not random," connected to Drummond through a personal relationship.
Daytime: The U.S. Marshals Service and their Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force join the manhunt, offering an additional $10,000 reward, bringing the total to $17,500.
August 2, 2025 (Saturday):
Giovonte Thomas, 29, already in Madison County Jail, is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
James Wilson's stolen 1988 white Ford pickup with a red stripe is found abandoned near Burnt Mill Road in Dyer County.
August 3, 2025 (Sunday):
Austin Drummond remains at large. Law enforcement continues the extensive manhunt, focusing on Jackson and surrounding areas.
Dearrah Sanders, 23, is also charged as an accessory after the fact.
August 5, 2025 (Monday):
3:47 AM: Thermal imaging detects a human heat signature in an abandoned fishing cabin on Reelfoot Lake.
4:23 AM: Surveillance teams confirm positive identification of Austin Robert Drummond inside the cabin.
5:15 AM: Tactical teams begin their final approach to the cabin.
5:47 AM: Tactical teams initiate arrest procedures, issuing loudspeaker announcements for Drummond to surrender.
6:03 AM: Austin Robert Drummond surrenders peacefully at the fishing cabin near Reelfoot Lake and is taken into custody.
8:30 AM: Sheriff Davis holds a press conference to announce Drummond's capture.
October 15, 2025 (Approximate Date):
5:47 AM: Kayla Brown and Marcus Thomas (possibly renamed Tanaka Brown and Giovonte Thomas in later chapters for consistency, or different individuals) are arrested in Jackson, charged with accessory and evidence tampering.
October 17, 2025 (Approximate Date):
2:15 PM: Austin Robert Drummond begins his confession to the Tiptonville murders, providing details about his planning, motives, and the accomplice network.
November 3, 2025 (Approximate Date):
Formal plea negotiations begin between federal prosecutors and Austin Drummond's legal team, discussing a deal for life imprisonment in exchange for comprehensive information about his criminal network and planned attacks. Drummond reveals involvement in 3 additional murders and plans for attacks on 12 families across 4 states, and corruption within law enforcement.
Six months after Drummond's conviction (approx. early 2026):
Conviction and Sentencing: Austin Robert Drummond is convicted and sentenced to death for the quadruple murders. He is held on death row at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.
Accomplice Sentencing: Tanaka Brown, Giovonte Thomas, and Dearrah Sanders receive sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years in federal prison for accessory charges and evidence tampering due to their cooperation.
Ongoing Healing: The Tiptonville community continues its healing process, establishing memorials for the victims.
Weslynne's Care: Weslynne Wilson, now 18 months old, remains in the care of relatives, developing normally with no memory of the tragedy. A trust fund is established for her.
Cast of Characters
The Victims:
Cortney Rose (38): The matriarch of the family, Adrianna's mother, and Braydon's mother. She was a dedicated grandmother to Weslynne and worked multiple jobs to support her family, including at Dollar General. She was known as the one who held everything together and was actively concerned about her sister Kaitlyn Speed's relationship with Austin Drummond.
Adrianna Williams (20): Cortney's daughter, Braydon's older sister, and Weslynne's mother. A recent high school graduate, she was devoted to her infant daughter and had been accepted into the University of Tennessee nursing program.
James Matthew Wilson II (21): Adrianna's boyfriend and Weslynne's father. He worked the night shift at Daltile Manufacturing and was described as reliable and hardworking. He was protective of his daughter and had confronted Austin Drummond about his presence around the family.
Braydon Williams (15): Cortney's son, Adrianna's younger brother, and Weslynne's uncle. A sophomore in high school, he was a quiet, friendly teenager who played JV basketball and was interested in becoming a firefighter.
Weslynne Wilson (7 months): The infant daughter of Adrianna Williams and James Matthew Wilson II. She was found abandoned but unharmed 40 miles from the murder scene, inexplicably spared by Austin Drummond. She survived the tragedy and is being cared for by relatives.
The Perpetrator:
Austin Robert Drummond (28): The convicted murderer of Cortney Rose, Adrianna Williams, James Matthew Wilson II, and Braydon Williams. He has an extensive violent criminal history starting at age 16 with aggravated robbery, including threatening jurors, multiple prison infractions, and an attempted murder charge while incarcerated. He was a confirmed member of the Vice Lords street gang. His motive was retaliatory, stemming from the end of his relationship with Kaitlyn Speed (Cortney Rose's half-sister), viewing the family as interfering and disrespectful. He was captured after a multi-agency manhunt and is currently on death row.
The Accomplices:
Tanaka Brown (29): Arrested for accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He assisted Drummond in the immediate aftermath of the murders, including helping with his escape and potentially destroying evidence. He cooperated with prosecutors in exchange for a plea deal.
Giovonte Thomas (29): Arrested for accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. He was already in Madison County Jail on unrelated charges when connected to the Drummond case. He also provided assistance to Drummond after the murders and cooperated with prosecutors.
Dearrah Sanders (23): Charged with accessory after the fact, allegedly providing "material support" to Drummond during his flight, potentially including transportation, communication, or financial resources.
Law Enforcement & Legal Officials:
A.I. Al: An artificial intelligence forensic analysis engine (v25.0) that assisted in the investigation, providing rapid pattern recognition, predictive analysis, and tactical optimization.
Cassian Creed: The author of "The Tiptonville Murders: A True Crime Investigation," a work of investigative nonfiction about the case.
Sheriff Jeff Box (Dyer County): A veteran law enforcement officer who personally oversaw the initial response to the discovery of baby Weslynne.
Deputy Sarah Martinez (Dyer County): The first deputy to arrive at the scene where baby Weslynne was found.
Paramedics Jason Roberts and Sarah Thompson (Dyer County): The paramedics who conducted the initial medical assessment of baby Weslynne.
Deputy Kevin Walsh (Dyer County): The department's social media coordinator who posted Weslynne's photo, leading to her identification.
Dr. Patricia Hayes: The pediatrician who conducted a comprehensive examination of baby Weslynne at Dyersburg Regional Medical Center.
Sheriff Roger Davis (Lake County): The sheriff who recognized the gravity of the situation upon discovering the abandoned vehicles and requested TBI assistance.
District Attorney Danny Goodman (Lake County): The District Attorney who requested TBI assistance, later led the prosecution, and confirmed the targeted nature of the murders.
TBI Special Agent Michael Evans: The Special Agent in Charge who led the TBI investigation and manhunt for Drummond.
District Attorney Jody Pickens (Madison County): The District Attorney who, in 2020, warned against Austin Drummond's parole, calling him a "dangerous felony offender" and a confirmed Vice Lords member.
Detective Sarah Mitchell (TBI): A veteran TBI investigator who played a key role in uncovering the accomplice network.
Detective Lieutenant James Morrison (Madison County Sheriff's Office): Worked gang crimes for over a decade and was involved in tracking Drummond's connections in Jackson.
U.S. Attorney Jennifer Martinez: Led the federal prosecution team, particularly in negotiating Drummond's plea deal and prosecuting his accomplices, and expanding the investigation into a larger criminal conspiracy.
Deputy Marshal James Rodriguez: Led the federal U.S. Marshals' Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in the manhunt.
Dr. Marcus Webb: A criminal psychologist who consulted on the case, providing insights into Drummond's psychological profile and motivations.
Dr. Sarah Peterson: A forensic entomologist from the University of Tennessee who analyzed insect activity on the bodies.
Dr. Thomas Garrison: The medical examiner who performed preliminary and detailed autopsies on the victims.
Other Individuals Mentioned:
Kaitlyn Speed: Cortney Rose's half-sister and Austin Drummond's ex-girlfriend. Her relationship with Drummond was the "catalyst" for the murders; she was a former corrections officer who lost her job due to an inappropriate relationship with Drummond while he was incarcerated. Her identity was protected in court documents.
Barbara Henderson: Adrianna's aunt and Cortney's younger sister; she raised concern when the family couldn't be reached.
Robert Hayes: A neighbor of James and Adrianna who noticed James's truck was missing.
Mark Chen: James Wilson's night shift supervisor at Daltile.
Jennifer Martinez: A neighbor of James and Adrianna who noticed Adrianna was not on her porch as usual.
David Thompson: Cortney Rose's manager at Dollar General, who noted her absence.
Patricia Cooper: Braydon Williams's summer school algebra teacher.
David Mitchell: Braydon Williams's basketball coach.
Larry Williams: Cortney's cousin (no relation to the victims) who found the abandoned family vehicles.
Betty Morrison: A 73-year-old widow living near Carrington Road who heard unusual vehicle activity on the morning of the murders.
Tommy Jackson: Lived on Carrington Road and had a security camera that recorded vehicles.
Robert "Doc" Martinez: A homeless veteran who provided the crucial tip leading to Drummond's hideout in the abandoned Bemis Mill in Jackson.
Maria Santos: A Jackson resident whose phone number appeared in Drummond's contact list and who admitted to providing him with food and supplies.
Patricia Coleman: Giovonte Thomas's girlfriend, who made cash deposits to his commissary account that investigators traced back to Drummond associates.
Dorothy Washington: Kayla Brown's 67-year-old grandmother.
Rebecca Torres: Legal analyst who covered high-profile Tennessee cases.
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