THE suspect wanted for the brutal killings of four relatives in Tennessee was out on bail for a separate homicide he allegedly committed while in prison, investigators revealed.

The manhunt for Austin Drummond, 28, intensified on Friday after his damaged Audi A3 was found abandoned on a dead end road in his home county of Jackson.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Director David Rausch urged Drummond to surrender peacefully, while cautioning residents in the Jackson area to lock their doors and stay alert.

“Austin is considered armed and dangerous. This is why we are advising the public not to engage with him,” Rausch said during an afternoon press conference on Friday.

Rausch said investigators believe Drummond is still in the Jackson area and has direct ties to the county.

Drummond, who was recently released from prison last September, was out on bond for an attempted murder charge that allegedly committed while behind bars, the TBI director said.

The suspect is also facing separate drug charges from his days in prison, investigators revealed.

“While this was an extremely tragic and violent event that there was a sign of compassion that we know happened that tells us there’s a possibility that Austin may have a sense that there is hope for him to be able to come in and have a conversation about what happened,” Rausch added.

Authorities are now offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to Drummond’s arrest.