Tiptonville, TN – 28-year-old Austin Drummond has spoken publicly for the first time about his alleged involvement in the July 2025 quadruple homicide of James Matthew Wilson, 21; Adrianna Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15, leaving authorities and family members searching for answers. Drummond is also accused of abandoning a 7-month-old baby connected to the victims.
Drummond Claims Undercover Role
Drummond insists he was working as a confidential informant, assisting authorities, including the FBI, in cracking down on drug smuggling inside prisons. He says that while in prison, he joined the Vice Lords gang as part of his operation. Drummond alleges that his cover was blown in the weeks leading up to the killings, which he claims contributed to the fatal events, though he refused to provide further details.
“They found out I was an informant,” Drummond told. “I was afraid because I knew that bad things happened. And I was afraid that because I was an informant things would go wrong.”
Background and Criminal History
Court records show that Drummond has multiple prior convictions, including armed robbery, vandalism, and retaliation for past actions, including threatening jurors. He served a 13-year sentence for armed robbery at a Circle K, during which he made threatening calls to jurors stating, “They are going to regret it. I’ll be out one day.”
After completing the sentence, Drummond faced additional charges for attempted murder and possession of contraband while in prison. Authorities have documented Drummond’s behavior in prison, including photos of him eating pizza, drinking alcohol, and playing a Nintendo Switch, which prosecutors say demonstrates a lack of rehabilitation.
Investigation into Quadruple Homicide
Federal investigators and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) are assisting local police with the ongoing murder investigation. The victims’ bodies were discovered on July 29, 2025, along Carrington Road in Tiptonville, Lake County, after a 7-month-old baby connected to the family was found in a neighbor’s front yard around 3:10 p.m..
The investigation revealed that the victims were found approximately five hours later, prompting a manhunt for Drummond, whose images have been shared by authorities through social media platforms to aid the search.
Charges Pending Against Drummond
Drummond is currently facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities warn the public that Drummond should be considered extremely dangerous and advise anyone with information to contact law enforcement immediately.
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