UPDATE: Four Found Dead in Lake County as Abandoned Infant Case Unfolds — Multi-Agency Investigation Underway
Infant Left Abandoned: Initial Discovery
Around 3:11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, a resident on Old Highway 20 near the Tigrett area called 911 after witnessing someone pull up in a vehicle, leave a baby in a car seat in their front yard, and drive off without a word. First responders arrived within minutes and safely recovered the infant, who was unharmed and medically evaluated. She has since been placed in protective custody.
Family Reported Missing, Last Contact Hours Before
The last known contact came at 6:43 a.m., when Matthew Wilson reportedly texted his mother to say he had finished his shift at Big River Steel and was heading home. Hours passed with no word. As evening approached, loved ones filed missing persons reports for Adrianna, Matthew, Courtney, and Braydon. Friends and family insisted none of them would ever willingly abandon the baby.
Grim Discovery in Lake County
That evening, authorities in Lake County, which neighbors Dyer County, made a tragic discovery. Four deceased individuals were located in a wooded rural area. While positive identification is pending, law enforcement officials believe they are the four missing family members. No further details about the cause or manner of death have been released at this time.
Authorities say the scene is being carefully processed by investigators with the TBI and local law enforcement. Forensics teams are working to gather crucial evidence as the public and media await answers.
Vehicles of Interest
Authorities have shared details about vehicles potentially connected to the victims’ last known movements. These include:
- A late 1980s Ford truck with a white stripe
- A 2008 black Dodge Charger
- A small white SUV
Anyone who may have seen these vehicles in Dyer or Lake County on Tuesday, or who may have surveillance footage from nearby roads, is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.
Community in Shock
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Dyer County and surrounding communities. Friends described Adrianna and Matthew as loving and devoted parents. “They would never, ever abandon their baby,” one relative said. “Something terrible must have happened to all of them.”
Law enforcement echoed these concerns, with Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box stating that the nature of the case is “deeply disturbing” and urging the public not to speculate but to help investigators find the truth.
Public Appeal
Officials are asking for any information, no matter how small, that may help uncover the sequence of events that led to this tragedy. If you saw suspicious activity, encountered any of the vehicles, or have relevant footage, please call the:
- Dyer County Sheriff’s Office: (731) 285-2802
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI): 1-800-TBI-FIND
- Or dial 911 for emergencies
This devastating case has touched a nerve across the state — not just because of the loss of four lives, but because a child was left behind. The community is rallying behind investigators, hoping for justice and a clear understanding of what happened in the quiet farmland of West Tennessee.