SUSPECT IN CUSTODY TN - 4 people found deceased, related to an infant abandoned in car seat in someone's yard (Dyer County, TN) 29 July 2025

[TennesseeGal]

Here’s the evidence regarding the drugs.

This doesn’t show that the victims were using drugs but that they were caught up in drugs.

Brandon Powell’s arrest on conspiracy and drug charges relating to a planned drop at the prison are directly related to this case. He has been arrested on those charges as part of this murder investigation.

Cortney also has 2 ex husbands in jail currently on drug charges.

https://www.wbbjtv.com/content/uploads/2025/08/c/n/SANDERSPOWELL-DRUMMOND.pdf

I am not seeing where this shows the victims were caught up in drugs. Granted, this whole things is such a mess and they may have been. But I see page 1 in these documents is the girl they arrested for accessory. Pages 2 and 3 appear to be the incident with Drummond and Powell back in June when they were pulled over for attempting to make a delivery to the prison. As I interpret it - again, my opinion only - they have not yet directly tied Powell to the murders/this case yet, but they moved forward with those charges so they could lock him up. They might tie him to it before it is over, but to my knowledge the Dyer Co. Sheriff’s Office and TBI have still only announced the 3 people in connection to the case at this point.

The rest of the pages are the murder charges and I see nothing about drugs. I certainly may be missing it but I don’t see anything to indicate the victims were caught up in drugs in these documents. It certainly may come out to be the case in the trial. I just can’t wrap my head around why they (the 4 victims) would have 3 vehicles there for that purpose. It’s just all so terribly sad, whatever happened.

 

[Absoluterubbish]

I am not seeing where this shows the victims were caught up in drugs. Granted, this whole things is such a mess and they may have been. But I see page 1 in these documents is the girl they arrested for accessory. Pages 2 and 3 appear to be the incident with Drummond and Powell back in June when they were pulled over for attempting to make a delivery to the prison. As I interpret it - again, my opinion only - they have not yet directly tied Powell to the murders/this case yet, but they moved forward with those charges so they could lock him up. They might tie him to it before it is over, but to my knowledge the Dyer Co. Sheriff’s Office and TBI have still only announced the 3 people in connection to the case at this point.

The rest of the pages are the murder charges and I see nothing about drugs. I certainly may be missing it but I don’t see anything to indicate the victims were caught up in drugs in these documents. It certainly may come out to be the case in the trial. I just can’t wrap my head around why they (the 4 victims) would have 3 vehicles there for that purpose. It’s just all so terribly sad, whatever happened.

When BP was arrested he was arrested in connection with this case. This was widely reported.

He also had his hearing today straight after AD and right before Sanders.

My take on it is the drug and conspiracy charges in relation to the drug drop are directly related to the case. My opinion on that is that there are 3 other co conspirators in that case aside from BP and AD and I think it will likely come out that one or all of those 3 are made up of the deceased.

What is interesting is his bond was set however Sanders is being held on no bond.

Whilst BP doesn’t appear at this stage to be directly involved in the actual murders or helping AD afterwards it would appear he was involved in whatever occurred that resulted in the murders.

Hopefully we will learn more on the 14th.

On a side note does anyone have any information regarding Tanaka Brown’s hearing, was that this morning as well? I can’t seem to find any info on that.

Two additional suspects charged in Lake County case, suspect still at large

District Attorney Danny Goodman said there were two more individuals charged in the case during an arraignment hearing Monday.

www.localmemphis.com

 

[Spectrix]

Some of Austin Robert Drummond’s Prior Convictions

2013 Aggravated Robbery:
In July 2013, at age 16, Drummond robbed a Circle K convenience store in Jackson, Tennessee, pointing a pistol (which he later claimed was a BB gun) at an employee and stealing $44 from the cash register. He was tried as an adult and convicted of aggravated robbery in August 2014, receiving a 10-year sentence.

2015 Retaliation Charges:
While incarcerated, Drummond made threats against jurors and the robbery victim from the 2013 case. He pleaded guilty in February 2015 to 13 counts of retaliation for past action, adding three years to his sentence, totaling 13 years.

2023 Contraband Charges:
In 2023, Drummond was charged with possession of methamphetamine and a handgun in a penal facility while incarcerated at Northwest Correctional Complex in Lake County.

2024 Attempted Murder Charge:
In November 2024, Drummond faced charges of attempted first-degree murder and additional contraband offenses stemming from an incident in prison. He was out on bond for these charges at the time of the quadruple homicide.

Prison Release:
Drummond was released from prison in September 2024 after serving his sentence for the robbery and retaliation charges. His subsequent charges indicate ongoing criminal activity post-release

Gang Affiliation:
District Attorney Jody Pickens described Drummond as a confirmed member of the "Vice Lords" a street gang involved in violent crimes, in a 2020 letter opposing his early release. This affiliation was noted as evidence of his status as a dangerous felony offender who could not be rehabilitated.

 

[Spectrix]

Many are wondering about motive, myself included.
Looking at a map of the area where the bodies were found, it's just a stones throw away from the Prison where the gang had been air dropping drugs and other contraband with drones (at least I think that's the place). They were reportedly found by family members who coincidentally knew exactly where to look.

Is it a stretch to question if the deceased were also involved with that business?

 

[Absoluterubbish]

Many are wondering about motive, myself included.
Looking at a map of the area where the bodies were found, it's just a stones throw away from the Prison where the gang had been air dropping drugs and other contraband with drones (at least I think that's the place). They were reportedly found by family members who coincidentally knew exactly where to look.

Is it a stretch to question if the deceased were also involved with that business?

View attachment 606856

I don’t think it is as per my post above. It will be interesting to hear if it’s the same spot they tracked the off road vehicle in BP’s drug bust

 

[Breezie]

Report details Drummond's history of violence - WBBJ TV

Newly obtained documents by WBBJ details Austin Drummond's extensive history of violence, drug use, and fleeing from law enforcement.

www.wbbjtv.com

Additionally, the report reflects a history of self-harm incidents where Drummond made attempts to harm himself by hanging himself, using an allergy to create a potentially deadly reaction, and trying to drown himself in the toilet.

His troubled past and poor mental health might help him avoid the death penalty.

 

[maskedwoman]

I am really surprised by his demeanour at his court appearance. He was incredibly polite to the judge.

I’m also interested to know why he wants a speedy trial. One might assume it’s because he thinks he’s going to get found not guilty but I’m wondering if it’s to spare the families a drawn out legal process.

There is absolutely NO way his defence attorney could prepare a good defence or possibly Any defence in a quadruple homicide case within 70 days of being appointed.

My guess is he knows the longer LE has to investigate him the more they will find. By invoking his right to a speedy trial, maybe he goes to court against a weaker case than he would if they have longer to investigate.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[Spectrix]

All these people were getting really confusing so I drew up an Austin Family Tree
...as best as I could, I might be missing an accessory or two!

 

[Vaderman]

All these people were getting really confusing so I drew up a family tree
(as best as I could, might be missing an gang member accessory or two?)

View attachment 606987
View attachment 606988

This is incredibly helpful. Thanks for doing this!

 

[maskedwoman]

Report details Drummond's history of violence - WBBJ TV

Newly obtained documents by WBBJ details Austin Drummond's extensive history of violence, drug use, and fleeing from law enforcement.

www.wbbjtv.com

Additionally, the report reflects a history of self-harm incidents where Drummond made attempts to harm himself by hanging himself, using an allergy to create a potentially deadly reaction, and trying to drown himself in the toilet.

His troubled past and poor mental health might help him avoid the death penalty.

Good gravy, I've never heard of anyone trying to drown themselves in a toilet. That sounds very...challenging.

I don't think anything we've heard so far will help him avoid the death penalty. In Tennessee it's strictly based on competence to understand the charges. A number of years ago, there was a case here where a guy committed late night fast food restaurant robberies and killed everyone present so there would be no witnesses. The total number of victims was 7. His IQ was considered borderline due to some head injuries he had experienced, but he still got the death penalty.

He was in line to be executed but died of pneumonia and heart failure before his execution date.

 

[borndem]

It is truly a terrible, and tragic mess. Ex-husbands in prison, alleged killer dating Cortney's sister who worked in the prison, multiple drug and crime associates inside and outside prison... unbelievable. On top of that, a violent gang that almost seems to be running several counties. SMH.

What more could there be, here? SMH.

 

[Spectrix]

Do we know for sure that Kaitlyn provided him with the contraband there?
And you're right, she could answer a lot of questions about what happened in prison and since he's been released. I'm sure LE/TBI has talked to her several times. Curious to know if she knew anything about why her family was executed.

I'm wondering, since the only apparent link between Austin Drummond and the four deceased is:
Kaitlyn Speed (Austin's Girlfriend/Ex,and Sister of the "Grandmother")...

She's now serving time over her involvement with Austin, bringing in contraband or whatever it was...
Did she rat out Austin over something/everything, and in retaliation, unable to get to her, he killed her family?

 

[GMS]

When BP was arrested he was arrested in connection with this case. This was widely reported.

He also had his hearing today straight after AD and right before Sanders.

My take on it is the drug and conspiracy charges in relation to the drug drop are directly related to the case. My opinion on that is that there are 3 other co conspirators in that case aside from BP and AD and I think it will likely come out that one or all of those 3 are made up of the deceased.

What is interesting is his bond was set however Sanders is being held on no bond.

Whilst BP doesn’t appear at this stage to be directly involved in the actual murders or helping AD afterwards it would appear he was involved in whatever occurred that resulted in the murders.

Hopefully we will learn more on the 14th.

On a side note does anyone have any information regarding Tanaka Brown’s hearing, was that this morning as well? I can’t seem to find any info on that.

Two additional suspects charged in Lake County case, suspect still at large

District Attorney Danny Goodman said there were two more individuals charged in the case during an arraignment hearing Monday.

www.localmemphis.com

If indeed your speculation and/or theory is true, what is your motive for the murders? Were the conspirators turning states evidence and agreeing to testify against AD? skimming profits or product? wanting to get out of the smuggling operation?

 

[JoeFromLB]

I'm wondering, since the only apparent link between Austin Drummond and the four deceased is:
Kaitlyn Speed (Austin's Girlfriend/Ex,and Sister of the "Grandmother")...

She's now serving time over her involvement with Austin, bringing in contraband or whatever it was...
Did she rat out Austin over something/everything, and in retaliation, unable to get to her, he killed her family?

I don't want to say anything bad about the deceased, but in general, the details of the extended families (many different last names, e.g.) the connection with the prison, the drug trafficking investigations, etc etc, paint a picture of great dysfunction and instability.
It's all just very sad.

 

[anneoakley63]

I don't want to say anything bad about the deceased, but in general, the details of the extended families (many different last names, e.g.) the connection with the prison, the drug trafficking investigations, etc etc, paint a picture of great dysfunction and instability.
It's all just very sad.

Where can I details on the extended family?

 

[anneoakley63]

I'm wondering, since the only apparent link between Austin Drummond and the four deceased is:
Kaitlyn Speed (Austin's Girlfriend/Ex,and Sister of the "Grandmother")...

She's now serving time over her involvement with Austin, bringing in contraband or whatever it was...
Did she rat out Austin over something/everything, and in retaliation, unable to get to her, he killed her family?

Kaitlyn.....she was fired from the prison, correct? Was she not showing up for work because she was afraid of the VL gang members? Was she being harassed? Did she decide to stop providing contraband and left in an effort to save herself? There are so many questions where she is concerned. I'm sure TBI and LE are working on her to get answers.

 

[cujenn81]

All these people were getting really confusing so I drew up an Austin Family Tree
...as best as I could, I might be missing an accessory or two!

View attachment 606987
View attachment 606990

Do you have a MSM link about KS being currently in jail? Or a link to the jail or prison where she’s being housed?

 

[SaranWrapPetunia]

Report details Drummond's history of violence - WBBJ TV

Newly obtained documents by WBBJ details Austin Drummond's extensive history of violence, drug use, and fleeing from law enforcement.

www.wbbjtv.com

Additionally, the report reflects a history of self-harm incidents where Drummond made attempts to harm himself by hanging himself, using an allergy to create a potentially deadly reaction, and trying to drown himself in the toilet.

His troubled past and poor mental health might help him avoid the death penalty.

That's pretty sad if he tried hanging and drowning himself while in detention. Sorry, but I'm an empathetic old soul that thinks we're failing youth where adult prison is not the answer. JMO

 

[Absoluterubbish]

Do you have a MSM link about KS being currently in jail? Or a link to the jail or prison where she’s being housed?

I have never heard KS is in jail? Surely this would be all over the media?