Tennessee manhunt for escaped killer

A manhunt for a convicted murderer is underway in western Tennessee after the suspect escaped from a state prison and stole a work vehicle. Jacob Allen Morley, 28, left the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville before prison officials noticed his absence at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Tennessee Department of Correction confirmed via security footage that Morley cut through the perimeter fence and left the facility while wearing his uniform.

By 1:00 a.m. on Monday, state law enforcement reported that Morley had taken a white Ford F-350 flatbed truck. The theft occurred in Tiptonville, a city of approximately 3,500 residents located about 100 miles north of Memphis. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added Morley to its most-wanted list and issued a public appeal for video evidence.

Officials asked residents to review home security systems, including doorbell and trail cameras, to capture images of Morley or the stolen truck. Security video released by authorities shows a man in a beanie walking around the back of the vehicle to the driver’s side. The footage captures the windshield wipers moving before the truck drives away.

The Department of Correction describes Morley as a 5-foot-11-inch man weighing 240 pounds. A reward of up to $2,500 is available for information leading to his capture. The agency instructed the public to call 911 or 1-800-TBI-FIND if they spot him. Tiptonville sits near the Mississippi River and the border with Missouri.

Court documents from the Carter County Clerk’s Office detail the crime for which Morley was convicted. In 2022, he fatally shot his co-worker, Cody Birchfield, 34, in the back of the head. Birchfield’s body was found inside a large metal box beneath Morley’s residence. Morley was convicted in February 2025 and sentenced to life in prison.

The court records show Morley also received guilty verdicts for abusing a corpse, tampering with evidence, and aggravated burglary. The burglary charge stemmed from his theft of tools from Birchfield. During the trial, prosecutors described Morley as a loner. He argued for self-defense and cited mental health issues, including bipolar disorder, according to the clerk’s office.