Jacob Allen Morley, a 28-year-old Tennessee inmate serving a life sentence for murder, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville on Sunday. Prison officials said security footage showed him breaching a fence while wearing prison clothing. A statewide manhunt is underway, with state and federal law enforcement agencies assisting in the search. Authorities have warned that Morley should be considered dangerous and asked the public to provide information about his whereabouts.
| 1) | Escape from the Northwest Correctional Complex |
|---|---|
| 2) | Description and public safety warning |
| 3) | Murder conviction and prison sentence |
| 4) | Investigation into the 2022 killing |
| 5) | Search efforts and how to report information |
Escape from the Northwest Correctional Complex
Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, on Sunday. Staff discovered that he was unaccounted for at approximately 11:30 p.m. and immediately began an emergency inmate count and a search of the facility. Security video later showed Morley breaching a prison fence, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction.
The circumstances of the breach, including the specific section of fencing involved and how Morley reached it, were not detailed in the officials’ public statement. He was still wearing prison clothing when he was seen on surveillance footage, providing investigators with information that may assist in identifying him.
Description and public safety warning
Authorities describe Morley as 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 240 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation placed him on the state’s most wanted list and said he should be considered dangerous.
The warning reflects Morley’s criminal history, including a first-degree murder conviction and additional convictions for burglary, vandalism, tampering with evidence and evading arrest. Members of the public are encouraged not to approach him or attempt to intervene if they believe they have located him. Officials have not disclosed whether he is believed to have access to a vehicle or weapons.
Murder conviction and prison sentence
Morley was convicted in 2025 in the killing of Cody Birchfield, who disappeared in early February 2022 after last being seen in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Morley received a life sentence and was serving that sentence at the Northwest Correctional Complex when he escaped.
The other convictions connected to the case were burglary, vandalism, tampering with evidence and evading arrest. Because Morley was already serving a life sentence, the escape has triggered an intensive search involving correctional authorities and outside law enforcement agencies.
Investigation into the 2022 killing
Investigators with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office found indications that a violent crime had occurred inside Birchfield’s home after Birchfield went missing. On March 2, 2022, police arrested Morley following a chase that continued to the North Carolina state line.
After the arrest, Birchfield’s body was found underneath Morley’s home. During Morley’s trial, his former girlfriend, Landree Sheperd, testified that Morley had said, “he f—ing killed him.” The conviction and life sentence were subsequently imposed in connection with Birchfield’s death.
Search efforts and how to report information
State and federal law enforcement agencies are assisting Tennessee officials in the search. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and pursuing leads related to Morley’s escape from the prison grounds. Officials have not announced a confirmed location for him.
Anyone with information about Morley’s whereabouts is asked to contact authorities at 844-832-3463. Information about a possible sighting should be provided directly to law enforcement rather than through an attempt to make contact. The public should rely on official updates as the search continues.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville on Sunday. |
| 2 | Surveillance footage showed him breaching a fence in prison clothing. |
| 3 | He is serving life for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield. |
| 4 | Authorities say he should be considered dangerous. |
| 5 | Tips can be reported to 844-832-3463. |
Summary
The escape of a convicted murderer from a Tennessee prison has prompted a broad law enforcement response. Officials are using surveillance evidence and public assistance to locate Morley, who remains subject to a life sentence and has been designated as dangerous. Authorities continue to ask anyone with relevant information to report it through the designated tip line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who escaped from the Tennessee prison?
Jacob Allen Morley, 28, escaped while serving a life sentence for murder.
Where did the escape occur?
The escape occurred at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee.
How can the public provide information?
People with information about Morley’s whereabouts can contact authorities at 844-832-3463 and should not approach him.
