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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation charged Tanaka Brown, 29,
and Giovonte Thomas, 29, with accessory after the fact to
first-degree murder. Investigators allege both men “assisted”
28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond in the murders.
Authorities have left many questions unanswered, including how
the men allegedly helped Drummond, the manner in which the
relatives were killed and how the baby ended up in a car seat in
the Tigrett area, roughly 40 miles (64.37 kilometers) from the
bodies.
Law enforcement officers were still searching for Drummond.
“He should be considered armed and dangerous,” the bureau said
in a Saturday news release announcing charges against Thomas.
Brown, who also faces one count of tampering with evidence, was
arrested a day earlier.
Thomas was in custody at the Madison County Jail on an unrelated
charge and was set to be transferred to the Lake County Jail to
be arraigned on the new charges, authorities said.
Brown was booked into Lake County Jail, according to
authorities. Telephone numbers for Thomas and Brown could not be
located Sunday. Email messages seeking comment were sent to
Brown.
On Friday, authorities said they found the car they believe
Drummond had been driving. It was located in Jackson, Tennessee,
about 70 miles (113 kilometers) from where the bodies were
discovered and some 40 miles from where the baby was left.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said
authorities believe the family murders were a targeted attack by
Drummond, who had a relationship with the victims. The baby is
safe and being cared for, authorities have said.
Officials obtained warrants for Drummond that charge him with
four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated
kidnapping and weapons offenses. His criminal history includes
prison time for robbing a convenience store and threatening to
go after jurors. He was also charged with attempted murder while
behind bars.
No listed for number for Drummond could be found. An attorney
who represented him as a teenager has not returned messages from
The Associated Press.
Authorities have identified the four people found dead in
Tiptonville as James M. Wilson, 21; Adrianna Williams, 20;
Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15.
Wilson and Adrianna Williams were the parents of the infant who
was found abandoned. Rose was Adrianna and Braydon Williams’
mother.
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