Tennessee Launches Manhunt After Murder Convict Escapes Prison
WHO:
CNN - Morley was the second inmate to escape from the Tennessee Department of Correction’s custody in the past week.
CNN - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added Morley to its “Most Wanted” list and offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest.
The Guardian - Jacob Morley, 28, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex.
The Guardian - Morley was serving a life sentence for murdering Cody Birchfield, a Tennessee man.
The Guardian - Morley was also convicted of aggravated burglary, evidence tampering, evading arrest and vandalism.
The Guardian - The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) announced the escape and asked the public to report information about Morley.
WHAT:
CNN - Morley was convicted of first-degree murder.
CNN - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added Morley to its “Most Wanted” list and offered up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest.
CNN - Morley led police on a chase that ended in North Carolina after finding deputies at his home in 2022.
CNN - Morley stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 with Tennessee plates after escaping.
CNN - The Northwest Correctional Complex can house up to 1,776 male inmates.
CNN - Authorities said it remained unclear how Morley escaped through the fence.
Fox News - Security video showed Morley breaching a prison fence while wearing prison clothing.
The Guardian - Tennessee officials mounted a manhunt after Morley escaped.
The Guardian - TDOC described Morley as 5ft 11in tall and 240lbs, with green eyes and brown hair.
The Guardian - TDOC said, “Do not attempt to apprehend this fugitive,” and provided the tip line (844) 832-3463.
The Guardian - The article reported that all 10 people who escaped from a New Orleans jail in a separate breakout had been recaptured.
WHERE:
CNN - Birchfield’s body was found in a box under Morley’s house.
CNN - Morley drove the stolen truck past the Hornbeak Fire Department, about 15 miles from the Northwest Correctional Complex.
CNN - Morley’s escape was captured on video in front of the Hornbeak Fire Department building.
The Guardian - Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee.
The Guardian - Birchfield’s body was found buried beneath Morley’s home.
The Guardian - The separate jail breakout occurred in New Orleans.
WHEN:
CNN - Staff learned Morley was missing around 11:30 p.m. on October 25.
CNN - Video showed Morley stealing the truck around 1 a.m. on October 26.
CNN - The Hornbeak Fire Department captured video of Morley passing in the truck around 1:18 a.m.
The Guardian - Prison staff noticed Morley was unaccounted for at about 11.30pm on Sunday.
The Guardian - Birchfield was reported missing in February 2022; his body was found about a month later.
WHY:
The Guardian - Morley was imprisoned for Birchfield’s murder and the additional listed convictions.
HOW:
CNN - Morley left the prison in the stolen truck after breaching the perimeter fence.
The Guardian - After an emergency headcount, surveillance footage showed Morley breaching the perimeter fence and escaping in his TDOC uniform.
The Guardian - The New Orleans escapees reportedly got out through a hole in a wall behind a toilet.
(UPDATED October 27, 2026 04:07 UTC)
Authorities are searching for Jacob Morley, a life-sentenced murderer who escaped from Tennessee’s Northwest Correctional Complex after breaching a perimeter fence and stealing a white Ford pickup. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has placed Morley on its Most Wanted list and is offering up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest; officials warn the public not to approach him. Morley was convicted of killing Cody Birchfield, whose body was found buried beneath Morley’s home.
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(UPDATED October 27, 2026 03:06 UTC)
A man serving a life sentence for murder escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, and authorities have launched a manhunt. Security video showed 28-year-old Jacob Morley breaching a perimeter fence in prison clothing before stealing a white Ford F-350 and driving away. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added Morley to its Most Wanted list and is offering up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest; officials warn the public not to approach him.
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(UPDATED October 26, 2026 19:20 UTC)
A manhunt is underway in Tennessee after Jacob Morley, 28, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville by breaching a perimeter fence in his prison uniform. Morley was serving a life sentence for murdering Cody Birchfield, whose body was found buried beneath Morley’s home, and was also convicted of several other crimes; prison staff discovered he was missing after an emergency headcount. The Tennessee Department of Correction warns the public not to approach him and asks anyone with information to call (844) 832-3463.