TL;DR: A 28-year-old man serving a life sentence for murder escaped from a Tennessee prison on Oct. 25, stole a truck, and remained at large when officials last updated the public on Oct. 26.
A convicted murderer serving a life sentence escaped from a Tennessee prison on Sunday night and drove away in a stolen truck, setting off a manhunt that was still under way on Monday, Oct. 26, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Staff at the Northwest Correctional Complex discovered around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 that Jacob Morley, 28, was missing. Security camera footage later showed Morley breaching the perimeter fence and leaving the facility in his prison uniform, the Department of Correction said. Officials have not said how he got through the fence.
Video obtained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shows Morley stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350 with Tennessee plates around 1 a.m. on Oct. 26, the agency said. The Hornbeak Fire Department, about 15 miles from the prison, said its cameras captured Morley passing in front of the fire department building in the stolen truck around 1:18 a.m.
Who Morley is and why he was in prison
Morley was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and vandalism, the Department of Correction said. The murder victim was Cody Birchfield, who was initially reported missing in February 2022, according to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office.
Birchfield’s body was later found in a box under Morley’s house, The Associated Press reported. Morley also led police on a chase that ended in North Carolina after deputies arrived at his home in 2022, according to authorities cited by CNN.
The escape and the stolen truck
The timeline released so far leaves a gap of about 90 minutes between the moment staff found Morley missing and the truck theft, and another short gap before the Hornbeak camera sighting. What happened in those intervals, and whether anyone helped Morley, has not been publicly explained by officials.
Prison escapes that involve a vehicle change the search quickly. Instead of a search confined to the area around a facility, investigators must track a vehicle, check camera networks along likely routes, and alert agencies across a wider area, all while the trail cools with every passing hour.
A second escape in a week
Morley is the second inmate to escape from Tennessee Department of Correction custody in the past week, CNN reported. The other escapee was recaptured after several hours, according to USA Today reporting on the same manhunt.
Back-to-back escapes inevitably raise questions about perimeter security, staffing and counting procedures at a facility. The Northwest Correctional Complex can house up to 1,776 male inmates, according to the Department of Correction. Officials have not yet publicly attributed Morley’s escape to a specific security failure.
What the public is being asked to do
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added Morley to its Most Wanted list and is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest. Anyone who sees Morley or the stolen white 2008 Ford F-350 should contact law enforcement rather than approach him, given the violent offence for which he is serving a life sentence.
As of the last official update cited in the reporting, Morley had not been located. Investigators will typically keep checking tips, camera footage and vehicle sightings until the truck is found or Morley is taken into custody, and further updates are expected from the Department of Correction or the Bureau of Investigation.
Featured image: representative scene photo, not a photo of the people or the exact location in this case. Image source: police scene photo
Sources: CNN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who escaped from the Tennessee prison?
Jacob Morley, 28, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence at the Northwest Correctional Complex.
When was he discovered missing?
Around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction.
How did he escape?
Security footage showed him breaching the perimeter fence and leaving in his prison uniform. Officials have not said how he got through the fence.
What vehicle did he steal?
A white 2008 Ford F-350 with Tennessee plates, around 1 a.m. on Oct. 26, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Why was Morley serving a life sentence?
He was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Cody Birchfield, plus aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and vandalism.
Is there a reward?
Yes. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is offering up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest.
Has he been caught?
No. He had not been located as of the Oct. 26 reporting, and he is the second Tennessee corrections escapee in a week.
