Authorities across Tennessee and neighboring states are urgently continuing the manhunt for Austin Drummond, a man accused of carrying out a horrifying quadruple homicide that has left a community shaken and devastated. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) says Drummond is suspected of murdering four members of the same family, aged 15 to 38, and abandoning a baby belonging to two of the victims in the aftermath.
The chilling discovery was made earlier this week when law enforcement responded to a welfare check at a residence and found a baby left alone — cold, frightened, but miraculously unharmed. The grim scene that followed revealed the bodies of four individuals, all fatally shot. Authorities have not publicly named the victims as they work to notify all next of kin, but officials confirm the child is now in protective custody and receiving care.
As the search for Drummond intensifies, three individuals have been arrested in connection with the murders for allegedly helping him evade capture.
Among those arrested is Dearrah Sanders, 23, who now faces a charge of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder. According to the TBI, Sanders knowingly assisted Drummond in the hours and days following the killings, providing him aid in avoiding law enforcement.
Also in custody are Giovante Thomas and Tanaka Brown, both 29 years old. Thomas is charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder, while Brown faces the same charge in addition to Tampering with Evidence. Authorities say Brown’s involvement included attempts to conceal or destroy materials related to the killings. Brown was arrested on Friday and remains jailed without bond.
While arrests have been made, the primary suspect — Austin Drummond — remains at large, and officials warn he is armed and extremely dangerous. Law enforcement agencies have issued a statewide BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert and are urging anyone with information on Drummond’s whereabouts to come forward immediately. Tips can be reported anonymously, and a reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.
“This individual is a threat to the public,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “We believe he is capable of further violence, and we are urging everyone to remain vigilant and not to approach him. If you see him or have any knowledge of where he may be, contact law enforcement right away.”
The motive behind the brutal slayings is still under investigation, though early reports suggest that the victims and Drummond may have known each other. Investigators are currently piecing together timelines, reviewing digital communications, and speaking with acquaintances to establish a clearer picture of what led to this tragic chain of events.
The murders have left a deep wound in the local community. Friends and neighbors describe the victims as kind, hardworking individuals with strong family ties. Candlelight vigils are being planned in their memory, and social media has been flooded with messages of sorrow and calls for justice.
“This is a nightmare,” said one neighbor. “The fact that someone could kill an entire family and leave a baby like that—it’s beyond comprehension.”
As the manhunt continues, police urge residents to double-check home security systems and remain alert. Drummond’s last known whereabouts are being kept confidential to protect the integrity of the investigation, but law enforcement has not ruled out the possibility that he may have left the area or received further assistance.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, along with multiple state and federal partners, continues to work around the clock to bring Austin Drummond into custody and ensure that justice is served for the four innocent lives lost — and the baby left behind in the aftermath of this unspeakable crime.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or submit a tip online.
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