Crimeupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 12 April 2013Jacob Morley Escapes Tennessee Prison, Steals Truck, TBI Finds Vehicle in Illinois
12 Western Mainstream3 Other2 Local WesternPhoto: Nyttend, Public domain · Cropped for layout
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Jacob Morley, 28, serving life for murder, escaped Tennessee prison by slipping fence. Stole a white Ford F-350 pickup during escape; truck later found abandoned in Illinois.
17 outlets told this the same way.
Morley escapes, truck found
Jacob Morley, 28, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, after security cameras confirmed he breached the perimeter fence and exited the facility in his TDOC uniform.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it located the truck Morley allegedly stole in Marion, Illinois, while Morley’s location remained unknown.
The Tennessee Department of Correction said staff at NWCX confirmed Morley was unaccounted for at "approximately 11:30 p.m. on October 25, 2026" and immediately conducted an emergency count and search of the facility.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said newly obtained footage "shows Morley stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350, Tennessee tag 138BBQV" at approximately 1 a.m. Monday from the 400 block of Keystone Drive.
Hornbeak Fire Department said the escapee was seen passing the fire department at 1:18 a.m. Monday morning in the allegedly stolen truck.
Manhunt and public warnings
The Tennessee Department of Correction said investigators realized Morley was unaccounted for at about 11.30pm on Sunday at the Northwest correctional complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee. The Tennessee Highway Patrol deployed aviation assets and state troopers to assist with the search, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation placed Morley on its most wanted list and offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest.
Sheriff Bryan Avery of the Lake County Sheriff's Office asked the public to remain "vigilant and exercise caution" and said anyone who encounters Morley should not approach, confront, or attempt to apprehend him. The Tennessee Department of Correction urged residents to check home security systems, including doorbell cameras and trail cameras, for any sightings of Morley or the stolen truck.
Prior convictions and prison risk
Jacob Morley was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said he should be considered dangerous. The sources tied Morley’s life sentence to the 2022 killing of co-worker Cody Birchfield, with Birchfield’s body found in a box under Morley’s home after he had been missing for a few weeks. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Morley was convicted in Carter County, Tennessee, for crimes including first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and vandalism.
The BBC said prison records show Morley’s supervision level was listed as "low" and he was not eligible for release until December 2083. The Guardian reported that in 2023 an audit found the Tennessee Department of Correction was struggling to fill open positions at the north-west complex and had a 61% vacancy rate for correctional officers in that fiscal year.