Escape of Convicted Murderer from Tennessee Prison
A convicted murderer escaped from a Tennessee prison, managing a head start of at least five hours before police were notified of his absence, according to the local police chief.
Jacob Allen Morley broke out of the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville on a Sunday. While authorities have not revealed the precise timing of his escape, prison staff noted his absence around 11:30 p.m. A review of surveillance footage later showed Morley crossing through the prison’s perimeter fence. Tennessee Highway Patrol dispatch audio indicated Morley was last seen at the prison around 4 p.m. Sunday.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, footage captured Morley stealing a pickup truck from the 400 block of Keystone Drive, about 2 miles south of the prison, at roughly 1 a.m. Monday. Officials found the abandoned truck in Marion, Illinois, early Tuesday morning, but Morley remained at large.
“The Tiptonville Police Department wasn’t alerted about a missing inmate until 4:40 a.m. Monday, more than five hours after prison staff realized Morley was missing,” stated Tiptonville Police Chief Joe England. At 5:14 a.m., officers confirmed the escape and informed their department. By 6:20 a.m., prison officials officially notified Lake County Central Dispatch.
This notification triggered an extensive manhunt for Morley in areas surrounding the prison. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Department of Correction, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, engaged in the search.
While Morley stole the truck around 1 a.m. Monday, England mentioned his department was not aware of the missing vehicle until 2:15 p.m. the same day, and they confirmed it was stolen by 2:30 p.m.
Timeline of Events
- Sunday, Oct. 25
- 4 p.m.: Morley’s last known location is the prison.
- 11:30 p.m.: Prison staff confirm Morley is unaccounted for.
- Monday, Oct. 26
- 1 a.m.: Truck stolen on Keystone Drive.
- 4:40 a.m.: Police receive first report of a missing inmate.
- 5:14 a.m.: Confirmation of inmate escape shared within police department.
- 6:20 a.m.: Formal notification of inmate escape to Lake County Central Dispatch.
- 2:15 p.m.: Police learn of possibly missing truck.
- 2:30 p.m.: Confirmation of truck theft.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27
- 10 a.m.: Abandoned truck found in Marion, Illinois.
A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson mentioned the agency’s awareness of the escape on Monday morning, though they didn’t specify an exact time. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office had no comment on when they first learned of the escape, and the Tennessee Department of Correction did not respond to inquiries.
“A delay in notifying police of a prison escape is 100% unacceptable,” stated former federal prison Warden Cameron Lindsay. Emergency plans should ensure prompt notification of all relevant law enforcement agencies. “This delay raises serious concerns,” Lindsay added.
Retired FBI Special Agent Jonathan Gilliam emphasized that the community should have been warned sooner. “An emergency message should be sent to residents to ensure no one is missing,” Gilliam advised, noting the danger Morley poses.
The manhunt for Morley continues, with a reward reaching $15,000. Described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, Morley is listed as dangerous on the state’s most wanted list. His escape adds pressure to the Tennessee Department of Correction following a failed execution attempt less than a month prior.