The FBI and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have been called in to help local cops with a disturbing and “deeply saddening” investigation in which a mother, father, grandmother, and 15-year-old were all discovered dead this week while investigating an abandoned baby case reported hours earlier.
Local District Attorney Danny Goodman Jr. of the 29th Judicial District told Law&Crime on Wednesday that the abandoned baby investigation’s child, a 7-month-old, is related to the family and is the son of Matthew Wilson and Adrianna Williams, who were discovered dead Tuesday at around 8 p.m. with the infant’s grandmother, Cortney Rose, and his maternal teen uncle, Braden Williams.
“TBI is interviewing individuals who may have information,” Goodman stated, adding that “several people” are being questioned.
“This is not something that would just be a random event that should concern the average citizen,” Goodman told Law&Crime.com. “This is a situation in which I don’t believe there should be much public concern about something like this happening to another person. “There will be an explanation later.”
According to TBI officials, federal investigators and TBI agents were on the scene Wednesday to assist police with the “tragic” death investigation after the bodies were discovered Tuesday in Lake County along Carrington Road in Tiptonville.
The abandoned baby probe began with the discovery of Wilson and Williams’ 7-month-old in a “random individual’s front yard” on Tuesday around 3:10 p.m., police say. According to Goodman, a “dark-colored minivan or a white mid-size SUV” was reported to have dropped off the infant in a car seat, prompting police to Lake County and the bodies being discovered approximately five hours later after authorities identified the child’s parents.
“TBI agents, with the assistance of the FBI and the Lake and Dyer County sheriff’s offices, continue to investigate the deaths of four individuals found Tuesday along Carrington Road in Tiptonville,” TBI Communications Director Josh DeVine told Law & Crime. “At this time, the investigation remains active and ongoing,” DeVine informed me.
Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box issued a statement on Facebook, calling Tuesday a “deeply saddening day” for his community following the discovery.
“We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served,” Box informed the crowd.
Lake County Sheriff Bryan Avery told residents on his office’s Facebook page that the TBI was handling the case “with the highest level of diligence and professionalism” possible.
“This remains a very active and ongoing investigation,” Avery informed me. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends, families, and the entire community affected by this tragic event. We understand that this is a difficult time, and we support you.”
TBI officials and Goodman declined to say Wednesday whether any criminality was suspected or suspects were being sought in connection with the death investigation. Police referred all Law&Crime comment requests to the bureau. The FBI did not respond to Law&Crime’s request for comment.
