What began as a seemingly strange case involving an abandoned infant quickly escalated into a full-blown manhunt for a dangerous felon, leaving a small Tennessee community stunned and grieving.
A Baby Left Alone Raises Alarms
On a quiet Tuesday morning in rural northwest Tennessee, a good Samaritan stumbled upon something that didn’t sit right.
A baby girl, strapped in a car seat, had been left on someone’s front lawn with no one around.
The resident watched as a vehicle — either a dark minivan or a white SUV — sped off right after dropping the child.
Concerned and confused, the resident quickly alerted the police.
A Tragic Connection Uncovered
What initially looked like child abandonment turned into something far more sinister.
As law enforcement searched for the baby’s family, things took a disturbing turn.
That same night, around 10:26 p.m., police received a call reporting two individuals — Cortney Rose and her daughter — missing.
The caller said they were searching the home with a flashlight.
Hours later, police uncovered the heartbreaking truth. Four bodies were found hidden in a densely wooded area in nearby Lake County.
The victims were soon identified as 20-year-old Adrianna Williams, her boyfriend Matthew Wilson (21), Adrianna’s younger brother Braydon Williams (15), and their mother, 38-year-old Cortney Rose.
All four were immediate family members of the infant left on the lawn.
Adrianna and Matthew were her parents, Cortney was the grandmother, and Braydon was her uncle.
Suspect Identified and Deemed ‘Armed and Dangerous’
The man believed to be responsible for this horror is Austin Robert Drummond, a 28-year-old felon with a violent past.
Authorities say Drummond had a prior romantic connection with someone in the Williams family, which might explain why the victims were not random.
District Attorney Danny Goodman confirmed that Drummond had previously dated a relative of the family, though he did not go into detail.
He reassured the public that the victims were specifically targeted and not randomly selected.
However, Drummond remains on the run and is considered extremely dangerous.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has labeled him “armed and dangerous,” and the U.S. Marshals Service is now offering a $7,500 reward for any tips that lead to his arrest.
Details About the Suspect and His Escape
Drummond was last seen driving a white Audi A3 sedan, which has visible damage on the driver’s side and carries Tennessee license plate RI 01896.
He’s described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing around 190 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a goatee.
Authorities warn that he might have changed his appearance to avoid detection.
A Violent Past Resurfaces
Drummond’s rap sheet is far from clean.
He was previously convicted of aggravated robbery and had served 13 years in prison, only being released in September.
He is also facing additional charges from his time behind bars, including attempted first-degree murder and drug offenses.
District Attorney Goodman didn’t mince words when speaking about Drummond.
“He’s no stranger to violent crimes. This is a very dangerous man. People need to be alert and take precautions,” he warned.
What Investigators Believe Happened
According to sources close to the investigation, police now believe Drummond dropped the baby off shortly before executing a planned attack on the family.
Though the exact cause of death hasn’t been publicly revealed, the crime scene has been described as a “gruesome, execution-style” killing.
The Search Intensifies as Questions Linger
With the killer still on the loose and a community left reeling, many are wondering what could have led to such a horrific act.
The motive remains unclear, and investigators are still piecing together the timeline.
Authorities continue to urge the public to stay vigilant.
If you see anything or know anything, they’re asking you to come forward — safely.
Tips can be submitted anonymously, and that $7,500 reward might just help bring some justice to the family left behind.
