Austin Drummond captured in Tennessee after dayslong manhunt
Austin Drummond, the man at the center of a dayslong manhunt accused in a quadruple homicide in Tennessee, was arrested on Aug. 5.
Drummond was wanted in connection with the killing of four people in Lake County on July 29. He was taken into custody by the Jackson Police Department, according to the Dyer County Sheriff's Office.
“This would not have been achieved without the tireless work and dedication of our local, state, and federal partners," Sheriff Jeff Box said in a statement.
"Their commitment to justice and public safety around the clock since Tuesday at 3 p.m. has been invaluable throughout this investigation. Also, our citizens have been extremely helpful and cooperative. Thank you so much for always being a willing partner with our deputies and investigators," Box continued.
Drummond is facing several charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Drummond was spotted on surveillance cameras in Jackson
The case began after a 7-month-old infant girl was found sitting in a car seat in a stranger's front yard near Tigrett, a community in Dyer County, on July 29.
Hours later, authorities announced that they were investigating a crime scene where four people were deceased in Tiptonville, revealing there may be a connection between the cases.
The victims were identified as 15-year-old Braydon Williams, 20-year-old Adrianna Williams, 21-year-old James Matthew Wilson and 38-year-old Cortney Rose. The victims were the baby's parents, uncle and grandmother, respectively.
Drummond, who was considered armed and dangerous, was recently captured on surveillance footage amid the high-profile search to track him down. The 28-year-old was seen on surveillance videos in Jackson on Aug. 3, donning a camouflage outfit with a brown backpack. He also appeared to be carrying a black rifle in his hand.
Three others linked to Drummond's manhunt arrested
Officials have charged three people in connection with aiding Drummond.
Dearrah Sanders, 23, was arrested Aug. 4 on a charge of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, according to a statement from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). They alleged that Sanders assisted Drummond after the murders took place.
Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonte Thomas, 29, were arrested on accessory after the fact to first-degree murder on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, respectively, the agency said in a pair of statements. An update added that Brown had been charged with one count of tampering with evidence.
Thomas was already booked into the Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge and was expected to be moved to Lake County Jail for arraignment, according to the statement.
Drummond has a criminal history
Drummond served a 13-year sentence for aggravated robbery and retaliation charges in 2014 – according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the Paste BN Network. He was released in September 2024, despite several pending contraband charges, including allegations he had meth and a handgun.
Contributing: James Powel, Sarah Best
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for Paste BN. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.