Manhunt launched after murderer who buried victim’s body beneath his home escapes from Tennessee prison
A massive manhunt has been launched after a convicted murderer serving a life sentence escaped from a Tennessee prison, with residents warned not to approach the dangerous fugitive.
Jacob Allen Morley, 28, managed to breach a security fence at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville late on Sunday night before disappearing into the surrounding area wearing his prison scrubs.
The killer, whose victim’s body was discovered buried beneath his home in 2022, sparked a frantic search involving local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
In a dramatic new development on Monday evening, investigators revealed that Morley stole a pickup truck shortly after his escape, potentially allowing him to travel far beyond the prison.
Authorities are now offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to his capture after adding him to Tennessee’s Most Wanted list.
The security breach was discovered at around 11.30pm on Sunday night, when prison officers realized Morley was missing.
Staff immediately launched an emergency headcount and searched the facility, but Morley had long gone.
A review of surveillance footage revealed how Morley managed to make his escape.
Convicted murderer Jacob Morley, 28, escaped from a Tennessee prison on Sunday night after breaching a perimeter fence while serving a life sentence
Surveillance images released by investigators show the fugitive wearing a blue top and gray pants as authorities desperately try to track his movements
Another security camera captures the escaped inmate wearing a gray hat and blue shirt following his disappearance from the Northwest Correctional Complex
‘Further review of security cameras confirmed Morley breached the perimeter fence and exited the facility in his TDOC uniform,’ the Tennessee Department of Correction said.
Exactly how he managed to get through the prison’s perimeter defenses remains unclear, with authorities yet to reveal details of the breach or explain how it went undetected.
By Monday, the hunt had expanded beyond the prison grounds, with police searching nearby buildings and structures for any sign of the missing inmate.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol deployed state troopers and aircraft to assist in the operation as investigators attempted to track his movements.
A potential breakthrough came when the TBI obtained surveillance footage apparently showing Morley stealing a truck at around 1am on Monday.
Investigators identified the vehicle as a white 2008 Ford F-350. The truck bears the name Lindamood Planting Company on its side.
Authorities urged anyone who spots either Morley or the vehicle to immediately contact police rather than attempt to intervene.
Morley was serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of Cody Birchfield, an East Tennessee man who vanished in February 2022.
An earlier jail photograph shows Morley smiling in an orange prison uniform before his dramatic escape sparked a statewide manhunt
Grainy nighttime surveillance footage shows a pickup truck in a farm parking lot just before Morley managed to steal the vehicle
A roadside security camera in Tiptonville sees Morley driving away at speed in the stolen truck shortly after escaping
Investigators say Morley stole this distinctive white Ford F-350 pickup truck, potentially allowing him to flee far beyond the prison
Morley was serving a life sentence for the murder of Cody Birchfield, whose remains were discovered buried beneath his home in March 2022
Tennessee authorities have issued a wanted poster for Morley, warning the public that he is dangerous and offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to his arrest
Birchfield’s disappearance triggered a missing-person investigation before authorities made a grisly discovery the following month.
His remains were found buried underneath Morley’s home in March 2022.
Morley was subsequently convicted of Birchfield’s murder in February 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment that June.
Investigators are also asking residents near the prison to examine their home security footage for anything suspicious that might help reconstruct the fugitive’s movements.
‘Residents are urged to review doorbell cameras, surveillance systems, and trail cameras, and to check their property for anything unusual or out of place,’ the TBI said.
Investigators are also urging people not to put themselves in danger by confronting Morley.
‘Do not attempt to apprehend this fugitive,’ corrections officials warned.
