Tennessee Authorities Search for Escaped Convicted Killer Jacob Morley

WHO:

CBS News - Jacob Morley is 28 years old, 5-foot-11, and 240 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

CBS News - Morley killed his co-worker Cody Birchfield.

CBS News US - Jacob Morley is a convicted murderer who escaped from a Tennessee prison.

TMZ - The escapee is identified as Jacob Allen Morley.

NBC News - Authorities in Tennessee are searching for a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for murder.

NBC News - NBC News correspondent Aaron Gilchrist reported on the search and released surveillance images.

WHAT:

Fox News - A close friend of Morley’s murder victim said the escaped killer could strike again.

CBS News - Northwest Correctional Complex can house 1,776 men and minors convicted as adults.

CBS News - A 2023 audit found Tennessee’s prison department had a 61% vacancy rate for correctional officers at the facility during that fiscal year.

CBS News - Officials discovered Morley was missing at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

CBS News - Surveillance footage showed Morley escaping in his prison uniform; officials did not disclose how he got through the fence.

CBS News - Investigators said Morley stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 with Tennessee plates and a Lindamood Planting Company logo; a reward of up to $2,500 was offered for information leading to his arrest.

CBS News - Morley was convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, vandalism, and evading arrest.

CBS News - A grand jury returned dozens of indictments in July related to five inmate murders, assaults against staff and inmates, and other violence at Northwest Correctional Complex.

CBS News US - Authorities launched a manhunt after Morley escaped from prison.

CBS News US - Authorities asked local residents to check home security-camera footage for signs of Morley.

TMZ - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Morley was caught on video stealing a Ford pickup truck.

NBC News - Authorities said the escaped prisoner allegedly stole a work truck and remained at large.

NBC News - Authorities released surveillance images of the escape.

WHERE:

TMZ - Authorities found the stolen Lindamood Planting Company truck abandoned in Illinois.

CBS News - The prison is Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, about 90 miles north of Memphis; the stolen vehicle was taken from Lake County.

CBS News - Authorities searched buildings and other structures near the prison.

CBS News US - Morley escaped from a medium-security prison in Tennessee.

NBC News - The escape was from a Tennessee state prison.

WHEN:

CBS News US - The escape occurred over the weekend.

TMZ - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation posted a video update Monday evening.

HOW:

CBS News - Morley escaped by slipping through a fence, according to authorities.

Fox News - The escape triggered a multi-state manhunt.

CBS News - Birchfield’s body was found in a box under Morley’s Carter County home after Birchfield had been missing for several weeks.

CBS News - Morley led police on a chase that ended in North Carolina after deputies appeared at his home.

(UPDATED October 27, 2026 21:06 UTC)

Authorities are searching across multiple states for Jacob Allen Morley, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence who escaped from Tennessee’s Northwest Correctional Complex by slipping through a fence. Investigators say Morley stole a white Ford work truck, later found abandoned in Illinois, and are asking residents to review security-camera footage; a reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to his arrest. Morley was convicted of killing co-worker Cody Birchfield, whose body was found in a box beneath Morley’s home, and a friend of Birchfield’s has warned that Morley could strike again.

(UPDATED October 27, 2026 16:07 UTC)

Jacob Allen Morley, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, escaped from Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, and remains at large. Surveillance video showed him escaping in his prison uniform, and investigators say he stole a white Ford F-350 bearing Tennessee plates and a Lindamood Planting Company logo; authorities are searching nearby buildings and asking residents to check security-camera footage. Morley was convicted of killing co-worker Cody Birchfield, whose body was found in a box beneath Morley’s home, and authorities are offering up to $2,500 for information leading to Morley’s arrest.

(UPDATED October 27, 2026 13:21 UTC)

Tennessee authorities are searching for Jacob Allen Morley, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, after he escaped from Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville. Surveillance video showed Morley leaving in his prison uniform, and investigators say he stole a white 2008 Ford F-350 bearing Tennessee plates and a Lindamood Planting Company logo; he remains at large. Morley was convicted of killing co-worker Cody Birchfield, whose body was found in a box beneath Morley’s home, and authorities are offering up to $2,500 for information leading to Morley’s arrest.

(UPDATED October 27, 2026 01:29 UTC)

Authorities in Tennessee are searching for Jacob Allen Morley, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, after he escaped from a medium-security state prison and remained at large. Investigators say surveillance video shows Morley stealing a work truck, identified as a Ford pickup. Authorities have released images of the escape and are asking residents to check home security-camera footage for signs of him.