Quadruple Murder Suspect Captured By Tennessee Law Enforcement After Week On The Run

Image Credit: @TBInvestigation / X

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

The Jackson Police Department announced on Tuesday that Austin Drummond, accused of murdering a family of four and abandoning their baby in Lake County last week, was apprehended by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation after a weeklong manhunt.

After allegedly committing the murders on July 29, Drummond, 28 took the infant to nearby Dyer County where a witness noticed the baby in a car seat sitting on a stranger’s front lawn. After identifying the child, authorities were able to confirm it was related to the four homicide victims who were found last Tuesday in the woods, nearly 30 minutes away from where deputies in Dyer County found the abandoned baby.

The victims were the baby’s parents, both in their early 20s, 15-year-old uncle, and 38-year-old maternal grandmother, whose sister reportedly previously dated Drummond. Law enforcement believes the incident was a targeted attack, though the complete circumstances of the deaths remain unknown for now.

Drummond was finally captured Tuesday morning after a man who was working nearby called police saying he saw a suspicious man walking in the woods. Reportedly, police were on scene and taking Drummond into custody before the call even ended. 

The arrest comes after he was sighted on surveillance video in Jackson trying to enter a home on Sunday night and the discovery of his empty getaway vehicle near a wooded area two days earlier. The manhunt involved several law enforcement agencies and a combined reward of up to $37,000 was offered for information leading to Drummond’s whereabouts. 

Jackson Police Chief Thom Corley said, “I am pleased to announce the successful capture of Austin Drummond, wanted for the murder of four individuals in Lake County, Tennessee. This marks an important step in restoring safety to our community. Thank you to our partners at all levels, including TBI, FBI, The U.S. Marshal, THP, Madison County Sheriff Department and Tennessee Department of Homeland Security, for their dedication in this case. I also extend my gratitude to the citizens for their support and to the brave men and women of the Jackson Police Department for their commitment to public safety. Together, we will continue to work toward a secure community.”

On X, the TBI posted about the capture, showing a picture of Drummond at the moment of his arrest and stating more details will be provided soon.

The agency offered “a hearty thanks to the public for staying vigilant these past few days,” and praised the “local, state, and federal partners who worked diligently to bring Drummond into custody.”

Three of Drummond’s accomplices have also been arrested and charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder, with one of the associates also charged with Evidence Tampering. 

Drummond himself faces 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.

Nor is this Drummond’s first encounter with the law as at the time of the murders he was out on bond for additional homicide and drug-related charges incurred during his time in prison while serving a 10-year sentence for aggravated robbery of a gas station when he was 16. He was arrested weeks later in Daytona Beach, FL and later transferred back to Jackson where he was tried as an adult following a juvenile court ruling.

A GoFundMe has been launched to help the family pay for funeral expenses and provide for the surviving baby girl.

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.