A convicted killer who escaped from a Tennessee prison remains the subject of a multistate manhunt after the truck he allegedly stole was found abandoned in Illinois. Jacob Allen Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville on Sunday, although authorities have not disclosed the precise time. Investigators believe surveillance footage shows him crossing the prison perimeter before taking a pickup truck roughly two miles away. A retired FBI agent said the abandoned vehicle may indicate that Morley is trying to create distance from Tennessee or find a less identifiable means of transportation.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Morley should be considered dangerous and has placed him on the state’s most wanted list. The U.S. Marshals Service and Illinois State Police are assisting with the search. Authorities are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 844-832-3463.
| 1) | Escape from the Tennessee prison |
|---|---|
| 2) | Stolen truck found in Illinois |
| 3) | Vehicle may reveal his next move |
| 4) | Conviction and public safety warning |
| 5) | Law enforcement appeal for information |
Escape from the Tennessee prison
Jacob Allen Morley, 28, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, on Sunday. Prison staff discovered he was unaccounted for at approximately 11:30 p.m., and a later review of surveillance video showed him crossing through the facility’s perimeter fence. Officials have not publicly established the exact time he left the prison or explained how he breached the perimeter.
The escape prompted a coordinated search involving state and federal agencies. Authorities released surveillance images showing Morley inside the facility before the escape and warned that he may pose a danger to the public.
Stolen truck found in Illinois
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said surveillance footage recorded Morley taking a pickup truck from the 400 block of Keystone Drive at about 1 a.m. Monday. The location is approximately two miles south of the prison. The vehicle was identified as a Ford F-350 work truck.
Law enforcement found the truck abandoned early Tuesday morning in Marion, Illinois, but did not locate Morley. The discovery placed the search across state lines and led Illinois State Police to offer assistance to Tennessee investigators. The U.S. Marshals Service is also participating in the effort.
Vehicle may reveal his next move
Retired FBI Special Agent Jonathan Gilliam said the truck’s location and appearance may offer clues about Morley’s movements. He noted that the vehicle was distinctive and likely easier for authorities and the public to identify than an ordinary passenger car.
“But when he got the truck, now they found that 2½ hours north. He is probably gonna lay low, or he’s gonna try to get another vehicle,” Gilliam said.
Gilliam said Morley could substantially widen the search area if he obtains a less recognizable vehicle. He also said Morley’s apparent lack of money could restrict his travel unless he obtains additional resources by committing another offense. The abandoned truck may therefore indicate an effort to avoid detection rather than a final destination.
Conviction and public safety warning
Morley was serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield. He was also convicted of burglary, vandalism, tampering with evidence and evading arrest. Birchfield disappeared in early February 2022 after last being seen in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Investigators with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office reported signs that a violent crime had occurred inside Birchfield’s home. Morley was arrested on March 2, 2022, after a police pursuit that continued to the North Carolina state line. Birchfield’s body was later found underneath Morley’s home. During the trial, Morley’s former girlfriend, Landree Sheperd, testified that he said he had killed Birchfield.
Authorities describe Morley as 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has urged the public not to approach him.
Law enforcement appeal for information
The search now involves agencies in Tennessee and Illinois, along with federal marshals. Investigators are examining the stolen truck’s route, surveillance footage and any possible sightings after the vehicle was abandoned in Marion.
Officials have not indicated that Morley is receiving outside assistance. Gilliam said the northward movement may suggest that Morley is seeking distance from the prison and moving away from familiar family resources, which he said are located farther east.
Anyone with information about Morley’s location is encouraged to contact authorities at 844-832-3463. Members of the public should provide information rather than attempt to intervene.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Allen Morley escaped from a Tennessee prison on Sunday. |
| 2 | A stolen Ford F-350 was found abandoned in Marion, Illinois. |
| 3 | State and federal agencies are assisting in the multistate search. |
| 4 | Authorities say Morley is dangerous and ask the public to report sightings. |
Summary
The abandoned truck provides investigators with a confirmed point in Morley’s movements but does not establish where he went afterward. Authorities are searching across state lines while assessing surveillance, vehicle and public tip information. Because Morley was serving a life sentence for murder and is considered dangerous, officials are urging the public to avoid contact and report relevant information promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jacob Allen Morley?
Jacob Allen Morley is a 28-year-old convicted killer who was serving a life sentence in Tennessee for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield.
Where was the stolen truck found?
The Ford F-350 pickup truck was found abandoned in Marion, Illinois, early Tuesday morning after it was taken near the prison in Tiptonville.
How can the public help?
Anyone with information about Morley’s whereabouts should contact authorities at 844-832-3463 and should not approach him.
