DYER COUNTY, Tenn. —A fourth suspect has been formally charged in connection with the quadruple homicide that rocked the Tiptonville community, according to an update from Dyer County District Attorney Danny Goodman on Monday, August 4, 2025. The case, which claimed the lives of four individuals, including three members of the same family, has led to a widening criminal investigation involving multiple accomplices believed to have assisted the primary suspect, Austin Drummond, after the murders.
The latest update came during a court appearance for Tanaka Brown, who was arraigned on charges of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. During the hearing, DA Goodman announced that two more suspects — Dearrah Sanders and Brandon Powell — have now been arrested and charged in connection to the case.
- Dearrah Sanders, 23, of Jackson, Tennessee, is charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder for allegedly helping Austin Drummond after the killings took place.
- Brandon Powell is charged with Possession of Schedule VI Drugs and Criminal Conspiracy, indicating his alleged involvement in coordinating actions to obstruct the investigation or assist Drummond’s efforts to evade capture.
Authorities had previously arrested Giovonte Thomas, 29, who also faces a charge of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder.
List of Individuals Charged So Far in the Tiptonville Homicide Case:
- Tanaka Brown, 29 – Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder; Tampering with Evidence
- Dearrah Sanders, 23 – Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder
- Brandon Powell – Possession of Schedule VI Drugs; Criminal Conspiracy
- Giovonte Thomas, 29 – Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder
Case Background
The case originated in Tiptonville, Tennessee, where the bodies of four victims — including three members of the same family — were discovered after an infant relative was found abandoned in front of a residence. Authorities quickly identified Austin Drummond as the primary suspect in the killings and launched a statewide manhunt.
Drummond is wanted on charges including First Degree Murder and Aggravated Kidnapping and is considered armed and extremely dangerous. Officials now believe he may have left the state, and the effort to capture him has become a multi-agency operation involving the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
Manhunt and Reward
To encourage public assistance, the TBI and USMS are now offering a combined reward of $17,500 for credible information leading to Drummond’s arrest.
Tip Lines:
- TBI: 1-800-TBI-FIND
- USMS: 901-406-2044 or 901-661-2955
- Additional Contacts: 731-415-7962 or 731-333-0811
DA Goodman: More Arrests Could Follow
District Attorney Goodman emphasized during the hearing that this is an active and evolving investigation, and additional arrests may be forthcoming as more evidence is gathered.
“We are committed to pursuing justice for the victims and holding accountable every individual who participated in or helped cover up this heinous crime,” Goodman stated.
Community Response
The Tiptonville and Dyer County communities continue to mourn as law enforcement works around the clock to bring Drummond into custody. Community members have held vigils and outreach events to support the surviving family members and to call for peace and justice.
Law enforcement officials urge anyone with knowledge of Drummond’s whereabouts or those aiding him to come forward. Authorities stress that harboring or helping a fugitive is a serious criminal offense.
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