Far left inset: Austin Drummond (Tennessee Department of Correction). Smaller insets, from left: Drummond’s alleged victims, Adrianna Williams and James Wilson; Braydon Williams; and Cortney Rose Drummond (GoFundMe). Background: The area where Wilson and Williams were found dead with their baby’s grandmother and teenage uncle (WTVF).
A Tennessee man suspected of slaughtering four members of a family he allegedly “knew” just months after getting out of prison was once described in a parole board letter as someone who is “not capable of living among society,” with calls to his dad showing how he threatened jurors after his trial, saying “They are going to regret it” and “I’ll be out one day,” according to prosecutors.
Written by 26th District Attorney General Jody Pickens, the letter was sent to the Tennessee Board of Parole in June 2020 as Austin Drummond — who was still being sought Sunday for the murders of James Matthew Wilson, 21, Adrianna Williams, 20, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15 — was up for early release that July in connection to an armed robbery he committed at a gas station. The 28-year-old served a 13-year sentence after he swiped $44 from a Circle K while armed, records show.
“This office strongly opposes his early release on parole,” Pickens said, condemning Drummond as a “dangerous felony offender” and confirmed member of the Vice Lords street and prison gang.
“He entered a Circle K convenience store and pointed a revolver pistol at the victim in this case as he demanded money from her,” Pickens proclaimed. “After his jury trial, Drummond made a phone call to his father where he threatened the jurors and the victim in this case.”
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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported Saturday that two suspects were taken into custody over the weekend and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Details have not been released on how they “assisted” Drummond. The individuals have been identified as Tanaka Brown and Giovonte Thomas, both 29.
Court records viewed by Law&Crime show Drummond has multiple convictions on his record, including the robbery and a “retaliate for past action” charge, which is when someone commits an act of harming or threatening someone in response to their prior involvement in legal proceedings. Local CBS affiliate WREG reports that the retaliation charge stemmed from Drummond’s threats that he made about jurors, which Pickens referenced in his letter.
“Drummonds behavior while in prison should also be taken into consideration,” Pickens charged. “He has 25 disciplinary actions against him that include refusing orders, drug possession, defiance, and being in possession of a deadly weapon.”
Prosecutors say Drummond was charged for attempted murder after he completed his sentence for the robbery in connection an incident he was allegedly involved in while locked up, along with contraband in a penal facility. Photos on Drummond’s Facebook page, which authorities are using to share pictures of him during the ongoing manhunt, allegedly show him eating pizza and drinking alcohol while on the inside.
He can even be seen playing a Nintendo Switch in one purported post.
“This type of behavior clearly demonstrates that Drummond has no desire for rehabilitation,” Pickens said. “And is not capable of living among society.”
Federal investigators and TBI agents have been on the ground in Tennessee aiding police with the “tragic” death investigation after the bodies of Drummond’s alleged victims were found Tuesday, July 29, in Lake County along Carrington Road in Tiptonville, according to TBI officials. The probe stemmed from the discovery of Wilson and Williams’ 7-month-old daughter in a “random individual’s front yard” that day at around 3:10 p.m., police say. The victims were found around five hours later.
“Spot him? Do not approach!” the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office warned on Facebook.
