Manhunt Underway for Escaped Murderer in Tennessee

A manhunt is currently active for a convicted murderer who escaped from a prison in northwest Tennessee. The suspect, Jacob Morley, managed to flee by slipping through the prison fence and stealing a truck.

Escape Details

Morley, 28, was serving a life sentence for the murder of a co-worker four years ago. Authorities discovered he was missing at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction. Security cameras showed Morley escaping while still wearing his prison uniform. Officials have not disclosed further details regarding his method of breaching the fence.

Search Efforts

Law enforcement conducted searches in buildings and other structures near the prison, located about 90 miles north of Memphis. The area is isolated, with rural flat lands near a bend in the Mississippi River. Prison officials have offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to Morley’s arrest. He is described as 5-foot-11, weighing 240 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

Background on Jacob Morley

Morley was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of co-worker Cody Birchfield in 2022. Birchfield had been missing for several weeks before his body was discovered in a box beneath Morley’s home in Carter County. Alongside first-degree murder, Morley was convicted of aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, vandalism, and evading arrest. In 2022, upon seeing deputies at his residence, Morley led them on a chase that concluded in North Carolina.

This story is developing and updates will be provided as they become available.

This report includes information from The Associated Press.