In an investigation into a baby abandoned in Tennessee Yard last month, two men are now facing charges in connection with a clearly related quadruple group murder involving the infant’s parents. A third suspect manhunt is underway.
On July 29, authorities received the notification of a baby who was found unharmed in the front yard of a house near Tigret, a small town along the border of Tennessee. That same day, four people were found dead in Tiptonville about 40 miles away.
Local district attorney Danny Goodman Jr. confirmed that the baby was linked to the victim identified as James Wilson, 21, on Wednesday. Adrianna Williams, 20; Courtney Rose, 38; Braydon Williams, 15.
It is still unknown how they died. Also, how was the house on the outlying location chosen as a drop-off spot for a child too young to talk about how she was left in the middle of the day and in the middle of the county?
Two people were accused of being arrested
The two arrests in Jackson, Tennessee, said the man’s arrest on Saturday may help shed some light on the investigation.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has announced that 29-year-old Tanaka Brown and Jovonte Thomas have each been charged with one count of accessory after first-degree murder and tampering of evidence. Brown was booked to the Lake County Jail, but Thomas, who is already in custody on unrelated charges, was transferred to jail and arrested on new charges.
Searching for murder suspects continues
Authorities say Brown is a ally of Austin Dramond, 28, the main suspect identified in the quadruple murder. Drummond is being asked for four warrants of first-degree murder, one worsening trickery, four counts of felons in possession of a firearm, and one warrant for possession of a firearm during the dangerous felony committee.
He was last seen in Jackson on Wednesday, where he has a deep bond. A white Audi related to him was found in the same town on Friday, but a pickup truck believed to belong to one of the victims was found in Dyer County on Saturday. District Attorney Goodman confirmed that Drummond was dating or was dating the victim’s relative, Adriana Williams.
The former US S-Service offers a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to Drummond’s arrest. This is in addition to the $7,500 reward TBI provided for case information.
Drummond has a long criminal history, a member of the Deputy Road Street Gang, and was held at the time of the murder, the local district attorney said.
This photo, provided by the Tennessee Bureau of Research, shows Austin Robert Drummond. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation via the AP)
According to TBI’s criminal history revealed by WREG investigators, Drummond’s rap sheet dates back to 2011, and as a teenager he pleaded guilty to attempting a robbery in Jackson. He received 24 hours of community service.
He was later convicted of robbing a convenience store when he was 16 and threatening to chase a ju-death. Drummond later pleaded guilty to 13 count retaliation for his past actions. At a 2020 hearing when he was denied parole, Drummond said he didn’t remember he was in Xanax and robbed the gas station.
District Attorney Jodie Pickens, targeting Madison County, urged Drummond’s early release, calling him in a street gang called out to him in a 2020 letter, “A dangerous felony offender and confirmed member of the deputy chief.”
The combined 13-year sentence, which totaled Drummond’s 13-year sentence, ended in September 2024, according to Tennessee Department of Corrections records. However, he was arrested in December on suspicion of first-degree murder and attempted smuggling in prison.
“He had put on hold these new fees. [when] Goodman added that Drummond was moved to Lake County where he made the bond.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said authorities believe the quadruple murder was a targeted attack by Drummond, who had ties to his family. The baby is safe and cared for, authorities said.
The former US s service asked Drummond or anyone with information about his current location to call 901-406-2044 or 901-661-2955.
Wreg’s Jessica Gertler and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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