Manhunt Intensifies for Escaped Tennessee Murderer

A multi-state manhunt is underway for Jacob Allen Morley, a convicted murderer who escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, on Sunday. Prison staff discovered Morley was missing around 11:30 p.m., and surveillance footage confirmed he breached the facility's perimeter fence.

Early Monday morning, approximately 1 a.m., Morley was captured on surveillance video stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350 pickup truck from a property about two miles south of the prison. The truck, which has "Lindamood Planting Company" printed on its side and displays Tennessee license plate 138BBQV, has since been found abandoned in Marion, Illinois. Morley's current whereabouts remain unknown.

Morley was sentenced to life in prison in 2025 for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued alerts for Morley, describing him as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 240 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He is considered dangerous and has been added to the state's most wanted list.

Diana Reid, a close childhood friend of Birchfield, expressed deep concern that Morley could pose a threat to others. "He's already been convicted of taking an innocent life. I believe he's extremely dangerous and I'm genuinely concerned that someone else could end up hurt if he's not caught soon," Reid told Fox News Digital. "I’m genuinely scared knowing that someone convicted of such a violent crime is out there, not knowing where he’s headed. What he’s capable of doing next is just frightening."

Reid described Birchfield as a "kind soul" with "the biggest heart," emphasizing that he was "deeply loved" and had his life "completely robbed" from him.

Morley's conviction stemmed from Birchfield's disappearance in early February 2022. Birchfield was last seen in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Investigators discovered evidence of a violent crime at his residence. Morley was arrested on March 2, 2022, following a police chase that extended into North Carolina. Birchfield's body was subsequently discovered beneath Morley's home. During Morley's trial, his former girlfriend testified that Morley had admitted to killing Birchfield.

In addition to his first-degree murder conviction, Morley was also found guilty of burglary, vandalism, tampering with evidence, and evading arrest. Federal and state law enforcement agencies are assisting in the ongoing search for Morley. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding his location to contact 844-832-3463.