Four individuals found dead in West Tennessee were found to be connected to the infant found in a random front yard.
On July 29, witnesses reported seeing someone in an SUV leave a child in a car seat on a front lawn in Tigrett, according to the Dyer County Sheriff's Office. First responders safely collected the child. Authorities later said there was no relationship between the child and the individual whose lawn the child was left on.
The sheriff's office later announced that investigators identified the child and were looking to speak with the child's parents, the baby's uncle and the baby's grandmother.
But late on July 29, those four family members were found dead in Lake County, District Attorney Danny Goodman Jr. confirmed.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and multiple sheriff's offices are working on the investigation, and the Dyer County Sheriff's Office requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation's assistance.
Here's what we know about the situation.
Where is Dyer County, Tennessee?
Dyer County is located about 75 miles north of Memphis. It is two counties north of Shelby County, on the other side of Tipton and Lauderdale County. Dyer County's largest city is Dyersburg, with a population of almost 37,000 residents.
Who was killed in Dyer County?
On Wednesday, July 30, the Dyer County Sheriff's Office announced that the four individuals found dead in Lake County were the missing relatives of the found infant.
The deceased were identified as the child's parents, Adrianna Williams, 20, and Matthew Wilson, 21, the baby's uncle, Braydon Williams, 15, and the baby's grandmother, Cortney Rose, 38.
Where was the baby found compared to the family?
It was reported that the infant was dropped off in Tigrett, an unincorporated community in Dyer County. This is about 40 miles south of where the parents, uncle and grandmother were found dead.
Have any suspects been arrested in the Dyer County incident?
On Thursday, July 31, state and federal authorities identified Austin Robert Drummond, 28, as the suspect in the four murders.
He is being 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.
Drummond should be considered armed and dangerous, the TBI said.
The TBI is asking anyone with information on Drummond's whereabouts to call 731-415-7962, 731-333-0811, or 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Responses from officials
"This is a deeply saddening day for our community," said Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box in an update posted to an office social media page. "We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends, families, and the entire community impacted by this tragic situation. We know this is a difficult time, and we stand with you," Lake County Sheriff Bryan Avery said in a statement. "We are grateful to all the agencies and individuals who are working tirelessly on this investigation. Your dedication and commitment to justice do not go unnoticed."
Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [email protected].
Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @jca2902.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Dyer County, TN deaths: Four family members identified, suspect named
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